Product Description

This text is a treatment planner and theory guide for therapists working from systemic and postmodern approaches. Unlike existing resources, this treatment planner provides a means to directly integrate family therapy theory and practice. By providing treatment planning strategies along with complete overviews of specific theories, the book provides a remedy for the common "missing link" between theory and practice. The purpose of this book is to fill the ever-widening gap between formal training in theory and actual practice in managed-care dominated workplaces. The text covers 11 of the most widely used family therapies providing a summary for each theory and then specific strategies for developing a treatment plan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3877 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Review
"The writing style is engaging. The material is presented in a concise manner. The essential ideas for each theoretical model are presented well. The chapters are organized in a readable and logical manner. There is a nice flow from topic to topic." "The content of the book goes far in accomplishing its purpose of bringing together theory and practice in the planning phase of therapy. The book is likely to be a best seller."

"The strength of the proposed text lies in the vignettes and treatment plans noted for each theory discussed. The vignettes become powerful components for how the reader might conceptualize theory to practice. The author paid great attention to how the reader might conceptualize each vignette from a systems perspective while working with an individual, couple, and family."

" I would describe this manuscript as a very straightforward, logically organized, succinct, well integrated text."



"First, it presents the main marriage and family theories clearly and succinctly. Second, it emphasizes the treatment planning process. While the manuscript is very pragmatic it also demonstrates critical thinking about the cases and I see this as a definite strength."

About the Author
Diane R. Gehart, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at California State University, Fresno, and is the Director of Fresno Family Counseling Center and the University's New Horizon's in Family Therapy speaker series. She has received several grants to develop programs that support innovative services to economically disadvantaged children and families in the region and has developed an extensive family and child play therapy training program grounded in constructionist practices. Her research has included several qualitative projects on clients' perspective on therapy process.

Customer Reviews

Great Book. High Price
This book is tailored for California MFTs. It covers the major theories that are presently in use. It gives clear vignettes and has excellent treatment goals for each stage of therapy. It is a necessity to have this book when studying for the Standard Written and Written Clinical Vignette exams.

A good text book for overview of the major approaches
This textbook was recommended by my professor, and I find it a good tool for therapists who are looking for very basic theoretical information on the various therapies for families out there. Good examples and vignettes make its application simpler.

Good for beginners.

Useful tool
Theory-Based Treatment Planning was a very useful tool in studying for my California MFT exam. My four star rating is based solely on the omission of a psychodynamic approach to therapy covered in the state exam.