Propagations: Thirty Years of Influence From the Mental Research Institute

by Terry S. Trepper

Here is a work of profound clinical scope from some of the foremost leaders in psychology. Thirty Years of Influence From the Mental Research Institute, written by alumni and disciples of the Institute (MRI), is not just a compliment to the MRI influence, but also a way for readers to discover and savor the important contributions of those influenced by the MRI. The book contains the cutting edge thinking of some of the most respected clinicians from across the globe. The authors describe their application of ideas pioneered at the MRI, demonstrating its broad influence on present day leaders of family and brief therapy. Chapters range from the theoretical to the case study, tied together by the theme of how this amazing institute has widely impacted therapeutic thought. The book clarifies the depth and power of the MRI influence, which extends to theory, all aspects of psychotherapy practice, other professions, and other lands. Propagations offers outstanding conceptualizations, teaching, writing, and clinical and non-clinical therapy ideas that are immediately useful to clinicians, academic researchers, students, and other individuals interested in how people change.The book’s introduction provides background information on MRI and includes a condensed transcript of a “trialog” which took place between Jules Riskin, Paul Watzlawick, and John Weakland conveying MRI’s origins, traditions, and ethos. Propagations then breaks into four sections. Influencing Fields of Interest and Viewpoints examines MRI influence beyond the specific field of psychotherapy. Influences on Clinical Work looks at MRI’s influence on professional groups and contains clinicians’reflections on how contact with MRI theory and practice has influenced their work. Changes in Venue shows utilization of MRI approaches across cultural and professional borders, while The Outer Reaches looks beyond the specifics of psychotherapy. This inviting book reflects a wide variety of approaches, styles, and subjects, and ranges from preliminary musings to formal reports. This diversity offers a useful example of how new ideas and related practices develop and diversify from a broad common core. Readers can discover how interactional principles are being implemented in different nations, practice settings, and theoretical applications. Family and brief therapists, counselors and counselor educators, and professionals in related fields will find Propagations a source of useful information, thoughtful recollection, and stimulation for future activities.

328 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 1995

About the author

Terry S. Trepper, Ph.D. is an internationally recognized scholar, educator, and researcher, winning numerous awards and honors in each of these domains. He has been a professor at Purdue University Northwest since 1981 and prior to that worked in community mental health as a family psychologist. Terry’s scholarly and training interests include the evidence-basis of solution-focused therapy, systemic and solution-focused approaches to treating substance abuse, and positive psychology.

Trepper is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Purdue University Northwest and for the past 26 years has been the Editor of the Journal of Family Psychotherapy. Terry is the co-editor of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Handbook of Evidence-Based Practice (with Cynthia Franklin, Wallace Gingerich, and Eric McCollum) Oxford University Press; co-author of More than Miracles: The State of the Art in Solution-Focused Therapy (with Steve de Shazer, Yvonne Dolan, Harry Korman, Eric McCollum, and Insoo Berg); co-author (with Mary Jo Barrett) of Systemic Treatment of Incest: A Therapeutic Handbook, published by Brunner/Routledge; Treating Incest: A Multiple Systems Perspective, published by Haworth Press; 101 Interventions in Family Therapy (with Thorana Nelson), published by Haworth Press, 1993, 101 MoreInterventions in Family Therapy (1995); and Family Solutions for Substance Abuse (with Eric McCollum) published by Haworth Press, 2001.