Family Healing: Stratgies for Hope and Understanding

by Salvador Minuchin, Michael P. Nichols

At the center of people’s lives is the family, which can be and should be a haven from the harshness of the outside world. Unfortunately, the source of people’s greatest hope for happiness often turns out to be the source of their worst disappointments. Now, the family therapist, Salvador Minuchin unravels the knots of family dynamics against the background of his own odyssey from an extended Argentinian Jewish family to his innovative treatment of troubled families. Through the stories of families who have sought his help, the reader is taken inside the consulting room to see how families struggle with self-defeating patterns of behavior. Through his confrontational style of therapy, Dr Minuchin demonstrates the strict but unseen rules that trap family members in stifling roles, and illuminates methods for helping families untangle systems of disharmony. In Dr Minuchin’s therapy there are no villains and no victims, only people trying to deal with various problems at each stage of the family life cycle. Minuchin understands the family as a system of interconnected lives, not as a “dysfunctional” group. Each story of a therapeutic encounter brings a new understanding of familiar dilemmas and classic mistakes, and recounts Dr Minuchin’s creative solutions.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Relationships, Parenting, Counselling

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kristin Kopple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful series of family therapy case studies with Minuchin’s own personal and professional background to illustrate his remarkable therapeutic style.

[Pamela H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro me gustó, es útil porque a partir de la historia de Minuchin, va armando una cronología sobre su formación y sobre las estrategias para intervenir con diferentes casos. La narrativa es genial, tenía la sensación que el autor me contaba la historia dentro de la historia. Te invita a continuar con otros libros de este autor para aprender el enfoque sistémico.

[Carlene Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this book. It is extremely readable, I liked hearing about his own history and the examples helped me understand family systems theory. However, the physical descriptions of clients were irritatingly superfluous and by the last case study I saw an increasing amount of victim-blaming and taking the husband’s side.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and insightful case studies of Minuchin's unique and intuitive approach. Has definitely widened my perspective on the interpersonal relationships within family dynamics. Thoroughly enjoyed it & would recommend to anyone in the profession.

[Stefania Montagna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me rethink family relationships and dynamics. It's compelling and moving, and also offers a very thorough walk-through of how family therapy emerged.

[Clive Hazell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Minuchin spells out the complexity of the family as a system in a lively close-at-hand way while never losing sight of the underlying theory.

[Wouter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geweldig boek. Lekker geschreven en vol inzichten over familie en systemen.

[Fatima · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read bc of Ester Perel's book recs, felt it was more suited for problems in later life. Wholesome author though.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating way of deconstructing family dynamics in a geometric fashion, recommended by Ester Perel!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nine family therapy case studies from Salvador Minuchin's practice. Minuchin has a way of conceptualizing families that is fascinating and sometimes baffling.

[Kimberly Winters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great therapeutic strategy for helping families.