Two central ideas have become part of the orthodoxy of modern family therapy thinking. The first is that the therapist is part of the system he or she observes, and the second is that the therapist and family create a co-evolving reality through their interactions until now. No one has described the process by which these concepts are played out in the course of therapy. Cecchin, Lane and Ray are opening the way for a new field of enquiry in psychotherapy. In this book the authors identify the therapist's values and beliefs which they describe as prejudices, then they identify the equivalent prejudices held by the family, and finally they trace the ways a prejudice from one side affects the other and is, in turn, affected by the other. The book is a blend of theoretical discussion supported by case examples from therapy and the world at large. Readers of this book will discover values about themselves which guide their therapy but have long since been rendered to some unconscious realm: values about certainty, control, accountability and the search for understanding.

In this book, the authors identify the therapist's values and beliefs which they describe as prejudices, they then identify the equivalent prejudices held by the family, and finally, they trace the ways a prejudice from one side affects the other and is, in turn, affected by the other.

"Two central ideas have become part of the orthodoxy of modern family therapy thinking. The first is that the therapist is part of the system he or she observes, and the second is that the therapist and family create a co-evolving reality through their interactions until now. No one has described the process by which these concepts are played out in the course of therapy. Cecchin, Lane and Ray are opening the way for a new field of enquiry in psychotherapy. In this book the authors identify the therapist's values and beliefs which they describe as prejudices, then they identify the equivalent prejudices held by the family, and finally they trace the ways a prejudice from one side affects the other and is, in turn, affected by the other. The book is a blend of theoretical discussion supported by case examples from therapy and the world at large.Readers of this book will discover values about themselves which guide their therapy but have long since been rendered to some unconscious realm: values about certainty, control, accountability and the search for understanding. Also readers will be able to take one small step further back to observe themselves interacting with the prejudices of their clients."--Provided by publisher.

In recent years, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has become an increasingly popular therapy and is now widely recommended by GPs and a range of other health professionals. Part of CBT's appeal lies in the fact that it is time-limited and cheaper than most alternatives. The editors of this book argue that in the rush to embrace CBT there has not been sufficient attention paid to the potential drawbacks of such a therapy. This book redresses the balance by taking a critical look at CBT through the lens of various standard psychotherapy approaches, considering those areas where CBT is appropriate as well as those where it might not be. Leading figures associated with particular approaches (including Jungian, Systemic, Lacanian and Rogerian practitioners) examine the role of CBT and how it fits within their approach, exploring a synthesis of the two. Responses from three leading international CBT authorities enable readers to engage with both sides of the emerging global debate about CBT, and to consider what CBT therapists and other psychotherapists might learn from one another. Critically Engaging CBT is key reading for training and practising counsellors and psychotherapists as well as other health professionals who deal with CBT and/or other psychological interventions. Contributors: Ann Casement, Windy Dryden, John Heaton, Jeremy Holmes, Richard House, Del Loewenthal, Stacey Millichamp, Ian Parker, Howard A. Paul, Michael Proeve, Anthony Ryle, Peter Stratton and Keith Tudor.

A key book in the Basic Texts in Counselling and Psychotherapy series, this is an accessible introduction to the benefits and applications of systemic therapy with individuals. It builds upon build the growing interest in this approach which, unlike many other therapeutic approaches, can effectively be employed as a meta-theory whilst practitioners continue to work in another main model, such as cognitive-behavioural or psychodynamic. This popular text book provides counselling and psychotherapy students, trainees and practitioners new to this approach, with a lively, accessible and thoroughly practical introduction to the key theoretical concepts and techniques of systemic therapy with individuals.

The toxic nature of trauma can make it an overwhelming area of work. This book by a recognised expert adopts a systemic perspective, focusing on the individual in context. Very positively, it shows how every level of relationship can contribute to healing and that the meaning of traumatic experiences can be 'unfrozen' and revisited over time.

This book describes and analyses two dialogic network practices: 'Open Dialogues' - developed for use in psychiatric crisis situations - and 'Anticipation Dialogues' - used in less acute situations such as multi-agency muddles where the helper systems are stuck. The book is both theoretical and detailed enough for practitioners who wish to apply the approaches to their work. It is meant for professionals in the fields of psycho-social work - including therapists to day care personnel, social workers to school teachers, - researchers, and academics. As the book touches upon dialogues with and within private networks, the book reaches out to clients, too.

Tackling the difficult issues facing those who work with traumatized and sometimes dangerous young people and their families, this new volume shows how professionals can bring about positive change and growth through the creation of "holding" and healing therapeutic environments. This collection of papers written by established and respected experts with extensive practice and research experience builds a powerful picture of the theory and practice of therapeutic community work with young people. A wide variety of therapeutic community approaches is considered alongside an analysis of the implications of this model for mainstream residential practice. Social work, health care and education professionals will find the text invaluable for its presentation of a well-founded analysis of their work with these most damaged and desperate children and young people.

The authors describe the work they are doing with individual clients in Milan. Locating themselves clearly within the tradition of the Milan approach and more recent social constructionist and narrative influences, and articulating continually a broad systemic framework emphasizing meaning problems in context and relationship, they introduce a range of ideas taken from psychoanalysis, strategic therapy, Gestalt therapy and narrative work. They describe the therapy as Brief/Long-term therapy and introduce new interviewing techniques, such as connecting the past, present and future in a way that releases clients and helps them construct new narratives for the future; inviting the patient to speak to the therapist as an absent family member; and working with the client to monitor their own therapy. The book is written with a freshness that suggests the authors are describing "work in progress", and the reader is privy to the authors' own thoughts and reactions as they comment on the process of their therapy cases. This is a demystifying book, for it allows the reader to understand why one particular technique was preferred over another.