Systems Theory and Family Therapy: A Primer

by Raphael J. Becvar, Dorothy Stroh Becvar

This book provides an overview of the basic concepts of a systems theoretical perspective using families and family therapy as examples and illustrations of their application in professional practice. This meta-perspective focuses on viewing problems in context. The difference between first-order and second-order cybernetics is explicated. Readers then are invited to see themselves as parts of the systems with which they are working consistent with a second-order cybernetics perspective. Along the way a difference between modernism and post-modernism as well as constructionism and social constructionism also are described. In addition, theories of individual and family development are presented with implications for their use in family therapy. The book concludes with more than 100 examples of how the meta-perspective of systems theory can be used in work with families.

Genres: Grad School, Counselling

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2017

Reviews

[Andrea Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never wrote a review for this because I didn't care, but 10 months (and 7 classes for my Master's program) after finishing it, I'm so freaking grateful to have been recommended this book. I think I've referenced it for 75% of the papers I've written. It discusses different systems theory concepts, making sense of each one. It's like my encyclopedia for systems theory, or a really fantastic glossary. Shout out to Dr. Bosley for recommending this when I asked for something to read before classes started. Big win.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book of family systems theory. The strong philosophical worldview surprised me (utilitarian and postmodern), but I enjoyed the descriptive applications (particularly around stages of family development).

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concepts containers in the book are great. Unfortunately, there is a lot of jargon making the concepts difficult to extrapolate. The examples contained within the book to help to clarify new concepts and lend them a practical point of view.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super boring and dry. No practical application at all. Fortunately, it was mercifully short.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good textbook to start with

Explains basics of systems theory. Great text book. Love the lists of principles towards the end. A good list to keep around