Family Therapy: An Overview [Hardcover]

Herbert Goldenberg (Author), Irene Goldenberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534556698 | ISBN-13: 978-0534556693 | Publication Date: May 16, 2003 | Edition: 6

FAMILY THERAPY provides a balanced presentation of the major theoretical underpinnings and clinical practices in the field. By presenting an overview of traditional and evolving viewpoints, perspectives, values, intervention techniques, and goals of family therapy, Herbert and Irene Goldenberg provide current, relevant, practice-oriented content laying the foundation for students to become proficient family therapists. This edition reflects the Goldenbergs' commitment to providing students with not only traditional family therapy theoretical frameworks, but also the field's evolving models of practice. It is the complete resource for assisting students in mastering the many facets of family therapy. For this new edition, Michael White, founder of Narrative Therapy, has written a new foreword for the text.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The authors have a talent for making what could be very complex material into content that is understandable and applicable to a student with no prior knowledge of family theory. The text authors are obviously experts in the field, their material is always accurate and offers enough details to inform but not enough to overwhelm."

"I found reading the text exhilarating and informative, both because of the writing style, which was lively and crisp, and because of its comprehensive coverage. The text has depth and knowledge without being ponderous with unnecessary detail. I especially appreciated the clear definitions of complex theory, often supported with illuminating examples."

"A special word of appreciation to the Goldenbergs: they have provided a much needed text which has developed over the last editions into a more sophisticated body of material which is balanced by its accessibility for teaching and learning the introductory MFT, MA level, while also serving as an excellent resource text. Breathing through the text is their obvious care for persons, families, community and our work as therapists."

About the Author

Both Irene and Herbert Goldenberg are active and experienced teachers and practitioners of couples and family therapy. Herbert is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, where he developed and taught classes in family therapy. Irene is Professor Emeritus of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. She served as Associate Chairperson of that department and as Director of Psychological Services for many years, and continues to teach marriage and family therapy courses to psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers there. He currently supervises doctoral students and directs the family therapy program at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. The Goldenbergs have been awarded the 2007 American Family Therapy Academy lifetime achievement award for family therapy. They also hold membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Family Therapy Academy, and the Family Therapy division (43) of the American Psychological Association. Both have been elected fellows in that APA division. The Goldenbergs are co-authors of another book published by Brooks/Cole, COUNSELING TODAY'S FAMILIES, Fourth Edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 540 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 6 edition (May 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534556698
• ISBN-13: 978-0534556693
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic text for intoduction to family therapy, December 23, 2000

By 

Ta-Wei Wang (Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Family Therapy: An Overview (Hardcover)

This is one of the oldest and most classic family therapy text. Many experienced counselors have benefited from previous editions of the book. I read it several years ago, and I am also the co-translator of the Chinese edition of this book (4th ed.). It took us a LOT of time in the translation process. Because the language is full of jargons and the sentences are very long. It's a bit difficult for non-English speaking people. However, it has some good points. First, it has almost everything a biginner needs to know about family therapy. Second, it includes updated information. For example, it now has a single chapter on cultural diversity and ethnicity, which is an important topic in this field. And the popular theories like narrative and solution-focused therapies are also included. One weakness is that many old and less-used approaches occupied much space only for their historical importance. Besides, some information on the chapter of research does not catch up with latest trends. Overall, I think it is suitable for introductory family therapy courses, especially at the undergraduate level. But I think it could have more clinical examples to more clearly depict the theories.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Rating is for the Kindle edition only, May 15, 2010

By 

Lynn B. Abramson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Family Therapy: An Overview, 7th Edition (Kindle Edition)

I was excited to try my first textbook on the Kindle. However, I regret the decision for two reasons. First, this book is not available for reading on Kindle for PC or Kindle for Iphone. I did not know I would not be able to read the book from all my Kindle locations. Second, several of the tables in the book are not visible, replaced by "Text not available due to copyright restrictions." These are tables integral to the text. Now I will have to borrow the book from a classmate or buy it to see the tables. I really had no idea that purchasing a Kindle edition of a book might entail buying a book with virtual pages torn out of it. Definitely diminishes my enthusiasm for Kindle overall.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy the Kindle version!!, April 20, 2011

By 

JDues05 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Family Therapy: An Overview, 7th Edition (Kindle Edition)

I have a Kindle and enjoy saving a few bucks by purchasing the Kindle versions of books since I get them instantly and the price is a bit cheaper. I am running into a problem with my class because the electronic version of the book does not allow you to view about 90% of the images/figures/tables, etc. My professor specifically tests off some of these figures and I can't see them. I'm struggling in this class because of it, and it's too late for me to return the electronic version to buy the book version. Do NOT buy the Kindle edition!