Family Therapy: First Steps Towards a Systemic Approach

by John B. Burnham

Family therapy is a rapidly expanding field. This book introduces a range of concepts, skills and applications from a systemic approach. The first part sets out the theory and examines relationship types, the family life cycle, interactional sequences and different models of change. The next section puts the theory into practice. It describes verbal and non-verbal techniques which are used to elicit information and initiate change. The last part considers some of the necessary conditions for the successful integration and application of this approach in social work practice, illustrated by detailed case examples. A series of graduated exercises is designed to encourage readers to explore the theory and practice of family therapy in their own agencies.

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Jaimini Mehta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful book for new practitioners to family therapy/systemic ways of working. Helpful and clear case vignettes with clear modes of interventions alongside how one might hypothesise family therapy cases and presenting difficulties. Book is also full of useful references and resources for further reading although references are old (from 70’s and 80’s) but that makes sense as the book is also relatively old (1986).

[Nuno Carrilho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good review about family therapy, some concepts and beginnings into this different perspective about human relations.