Although most people physically leave home by their early 20s, emotional separation from one's family is a more difficult process that can continue for a lifetime. Now available in paper for the first time, this acclaimed book addresses the struggle of adults to establish autonomy without sacrificing family connections. Donald S. Williamson presents personal authority therapy, an approach designed to simultaneously foster individual development and family-of-origin intimacy. Therapists are taken step by step through conducting individual, couple, and small group sessions that culminate in several sessions with each client and his or her parents. Writing with sensitivity and humor, the author demonstrates effective ways to help adult children construct new personal and family narratives, resolve intergenerational intimidation, and enjoy healthier, more equal relationships with parents and significant others.
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'This fascinating and provocative book reflects a wide and deep understanding of systems ideas. Williamson asks the question: 'How does one leave home emotionally and yet remain lovingly connected with one's family of origin?'...His is a thought-provoking and controversial view...full of humor and clinical nuggets as well as profound ideas.' - Monica McGoldrick, LCSW, PhD (h.c.) 'Any person who has ever seen or heard Don Williamson speak knows he is a master at melding his personal life with his theoretical and therapeutic work. In The Intimacy Paradox, Williamson has succeeded in writing what he does so well in his presentations. This book is the authoritative work on the concept of personal authority in the family system.' - Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 'An interesting, theoretically sophisticated, and useful guide.' - AFTA Newsletter 'Williamson is utterly persuasive when making the case that achieving wholeness of the self cannot be best built on separation of that self from the parents of origin... He makes his points in a context of respect for the client, the client's spouse, and the client's parents albeit a context that is open to play and humor and not taking itself too seriously. Williamson not too seriously does very serious work.' - Contemporary Psychology
About the Author
Donald S. Williamson, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Personal Authority,
By Dale Irving (Sydney, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Intimacy Paradox: Personal Authority in the Family System (Hardcover)
This book has been most helpful for me in developing a better sense of myself by exploring my place in the family system in which I grew up. In particular it enabled me to claim my own authority in relationship to my parents. Williamson's theory is that it is essential to find a way of eliminating the inter-generational hierarchical boundary that is created in the parent-child relationship in order to fully develop our sense of personal authority. The goal is to find a means to begin to relate with parents as peers once we have attained adulthood. When this is accomplished, paradoxically the intimacy deepens as this new relationship develops.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Following the good example of painter Paul-Elime Borduas, quoted above, it is my goal to state the essential in an increasingly simple way. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
personal authority work, personal authority method, intergenerational family theory, hierarchical power boundary, family emotionality, intergenerational intimidation, transgenerational family therapy, intergenerational family relationships, graveside visit, intimacy paradox, intergenerational family therapy, intergenerational intimacy, primary triangle, relational justice, health distress, parental marriage, larger scores, emotional fusion, personal timetable, observer stance, framework for family therapy, hierarchical boundary, prepared agenda, systemic understanding Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Northern Ireland, Murray Bowen, Roman Catholic, United States, Act Three, Northern Irish, Republic of Ireland, Minority Report, Perfect As-Is, Spousal Intimacy, United Kingdom, Board of Directors, Donald Williamson, Joint Liaison Committee, Performing Outdoors New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Following the good example of painter Paul-Elime Borduas, quoted above, it is my goal to state the essential in an increasingly simple way. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
personal authority work, personal authority method, intergenerational family theory, hierarchical power boundary, family emotionality, intergenerational intimidation, transgenerational family therapy, intergenerational family relationships, graveside visit, intimacy paradox, intergenerational family therapy, intergenerational intimacy, primary triangle, relational justice, health distress, parental marriage, larger scores, emotional fusion, personal timetable, observer stance, framework for family therapy, hierarchical boundary, prepared agenda, systemic understanding Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Northern Ireland, Murray Bowen, Roman Catholic, United States, Act Three, Northern Irish, Republic of Ireland, Minority Report, Perfect As-Is, Spousal Intimacy, United Kingdom, Board of Directors, Donald Williamson, Joint Liaison Committee, Performing Outdoors New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 17
books:
See all 17 books this book cites
5
books
cite this book:
- Composing a Life (Plume) by Mary Catherine Bateson on page 239
- Politics of the Family by R.D. Laing in Back Matter
- Families and Health (Family Studies Text series) by W . J. Doherty on page 226
- Family Systems in Medicine by Christian N. Ramsey Jr. in Front Matter
- What Time Is It on page 96
See all 17 books this book cites
- Reclaiming Your Story: Family History and Spiritual Growth by Merle R. Jordan in Back Matter
- The Psychology of Intimacy by Prager. in Back Matter
- Promising Again (Family Living in Pastoral Perspective) by Herbert Anderson in Back Matter
- Treating People in Families: Integrative Framework, An by Nichols in Front Matter
- Please Help Me With This Family: Using Consultants As Resources In Family Therapy by Maurizio Andolfi on page 32
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