Customer Reviews

Strengthening Family Resilience, Second Edition (Guilford Family Therapy Series)

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Traditional family systems theory which contributes to the development of various family therapy schools is largely derived from clinical observations of families with psychitric patients. Many family researchers were eagerly looking for what causes individual pathology within families. They ignored the bright sides. Even when facing major crisis, each family has its own strengths to help itself go back on track. Sometimes that resilient power may make the family become even healthier and stronger than before. Dr. Froma Walsh outlines the qualities that help families sustain the storming weather, and suggest a new approach of clinical practice. The book has three parts. Part I is an overview providing theoretical foundations for this approach. It also dicusses the family diversity issues in this changing society. Part II contains four chapters. First three chapters address the three key family processes in resilience, which are Belief Systems, Organizational Processes, and Communication Processes. The remaining chapter offers an integrative framework for family assessment. Part III explores family resilience through crisis and challenge. Death and loss and chronic illness are chosen for illustrating how family develops resilience through adversity or traumatic experiences. The author then dicusses how to treat vulnerable multi-crisis families through strength-based and family-centered services. The book closes with the chapter on reconnection and reconciliation. Combining with family-of-origin work and forgiveness promotion, the author offers ways to "mend the broken hearts." I found this book easy to read, and the organization is very clear. It is a excellent basic text for understanding fundamantal family system dynamics. Is is also very useful for counselors and therapists to alter the views to emphasize more on the strengths of individuals and families, rather than on the deficits and weakness.

Now in an updated second edition, Strengthening Family Resilience is a guide for both families and therapists by Froma Walsh, who has received awards for her leadership in the field of family therapy from the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and AFTA. Strengthening Family Resilience especially focuses upon the quality of being able to withstand and rebound from a crisis or persistent challenges, the key difference between families shattered by tragedy and trauma while other families survive and even grow stronger in the wake of adversity. A scholarly text of especial value to professionals and students in the field of counseling and therapy, Strengthening Family Resilience covers the key processes in resilience such as belief systems, organizational patterns, and communication processes, as well as means to facilitate the cultivation of resilience in times of greatest need, forming connections in times of dire conflict, and much more. Highly recommended.

Heartfelt and exceptionally well-referenced, this wonderful book by Dr. Froma Walsh holds many keys for success in the 21st century. Dr. Walsh discusses the elements that make individuals resilient and expands them to families and communities. Offering many recipes and solutions for balance in our modern and stress-filled world, this book is an important way to promote health and happiness for yourself and your loved ones. I recommend it for any caring professional that works with children or families.

This book shaped my views on family assessment and therapy in a very helpful way. Walsh's views are the antidote to the pathology model which highlights deficits and illnesses in families instead of looking to build upon their available resources and strengths. I would recommend the book to any therapist, especially marriage and family counselors. However, don't be surprised by the extremely repetitive nature of the beginning half of the book- I suppose that's what it takes to drive the point home (and it's a crucial point!). You might find yourself skipping several chapters to get to the practical application.

A great book for therapists who are focused on deficit-based therapy. This book shows you how to look at how a family gets through problems and focuses on the strengths of the family. Pretty easy read, even though it is a long book.