Family Evaluation (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Murray Bowen (Author) "This chapter will attempt to place Bowen's family systems theory in the context of natural systems..." (more)
Key Phrases: multigenerational emotional process, overfunctioning one, automatic emotional reactivity, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Comprehensively presents Bowen's principles for assessing families, enabling the family therapist to organize clinical data and make therapy decisions."--James L. Framo, Ph.D.

About the Author

Murray Bowen, M.D., and Michael Kerr, M.D., worked together for twenty years. When Bowen passed away in 1990, Kerr took over his position as the Director of the Georgetown Family Center.

Michael E. Kerr, M.D., and Murray Bowen, worked together for twenty years. When Bowen passed away in 1990, Kerr took over his position as the Director of the Georgetown Family Center.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.; 1 edition (October 17, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393700569
• ISBN-13: 978-0393700565
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,685 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > By Topic > Family
  #41 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Counseling > Couples & Family Therapy
  #53 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to natural sytems, August 19, 1999

By	Terry Slingluff, LSW.([e-mail]) "c... (Franklin, Pa.) - See all my reviews

A rich introduction to Murray Bowen's natural systems theory. Explains relevance of the theory to clinical work with families, couples, and individuals. Also, briefly explores and contrasts the relationship of Bowen theory to sociobiology, evolutionary neurology, and analytic theory. Case illustrations are clear and helpful. Would recommend to social workers, psychologist, biologists, and those interested in a natural systems approach to human behavior. Although strong on evaluation and descriptions concerning emotional processes in human families and groups, there is less attention to therapy techiques. More of a book about thinking on relationships, than one of the clinical "how to" kind of presentations that have become standard fare in the family therapy field. I have read through Dr. Kerr's text several times and have studied its chapters separately. Each reread reveals additional applications and insights into the theory. Surely, a book that can grow with you! Dr. Bowen's epilogue is an added jem in which he offers perhaps his last written description of the development of the theory and his belief in the relevance of theory to the future. Personally, the book has influenced both my private and professional life.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Family Therapists, December 28, 2001

By	Geoffrey L Smith "mftgeoff" (Visalia, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This book explains Bowen's Extended Family Therapy Theory. This is one of the most important family systems theories in the history of family therapy and it is still one of the most widely used theories for working with families. Anyone that is studying family therapy should read this book as it is the seminal work on Bowen Therapy. Essential ideas such as triangling, emotional fusion, and intergenerational transmission are well explained.

One of the best things about this book is that it is highly readable. This book can be beneficial to anyone interested in learning more about families. It can be helpful to the lay person as well as to the professional family therapist.