Description

Book Synopsis
Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT) is an evidence-based intervention for diagnosing and correcting patterns of family
interactions that are linked to distressing experiences and symptoms in children ages 6-18. This clinical guide shows
practitioners how to transform family interactions from conflictive to collaborative, from habitual to proactive, so that the love
trapped behind the anger can flourish, and family members can re-bond in loving and mutually caring relationships

Readers of this book will learn how to engage families that are reluctant to become involved in family therapy, and structure a
12-to 16-week intervention that will effect powerful behavioral change. Therapists help adults learn to collaborate with one another to nurture, guide, and handle misbehavior among children and teens.

Dozens of detailed clinical examples show practitioners how to navigate family complexities, and how to work through the challenging decision points they present.

Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction

1. Basic Concepts of Brief Strategic Family Therapy
Family Systems
Structure: The Script for the Family Play
Strategy
Context
Process Versus Content: A Critical Distinction
Advice to Therapists
Key Takeaways

2. Joining: Preparing the Terrain
Creating the Therapeutic System
Joining Techniques
Advice to Therapists
Key Takeaways

3. Diagnosing Family Systems Patterns of Interactions
Organization
Resonance
Family Developmental Stage
Identified Patienthood
Conflict Resolution
Life Context
Key Takeaways

4. Applied Issues in Diagnosis
Encouraging Enactment
Defining Adaptive or Maladaptive Patterns
Planning Treatment on the Basis of Diagnosis
Interrelationship Between Dimensions
Key Takeaways

5. Orchestrating Change: Restructuring
Building on Joining and Diagnosis
Working in the Present
Developing Mastery: Helping the Family Build Competence in Adaptive Interactions
The Process of Restructuring
Key Takeaways

6. Pitfalls to Avoid
Content-Driven Therapy
About-ism
Centralization of the Therapist
Lecturing and Philosophizing
Losing the Leadership in the Therapeutic System
Doing for the Family or Playing a Family Role
Getting “Sucked” Into the Family’s Frame
Failing to Close the Deal
Key Takeaways

7. Engaging Families Into Brief Strategic Family Therapy
Challenges for Therapists
Diagnostic Dimensions of Engagement
How to Engage Reluctant Families
Working With Challenging Family Interactional Patterns
Key Takeaways

8. Applying Brief Strategic Family Therapy to Different Circumstances
When the Family’s Home Is the Practice Setting
Family Compositions
Special Circumstances
Key Takeaways

9. Bringing It All Together: The Case of JJ
JJ’s Case
Engaging the Family
The First Therapy Session
Session 2
Sessions 3 to 5
Sessions 6 and 7
Session 8
Sessions 9 to 12
Key Takeaways

Concluding Thoughts
References
Index
About the Authors

Brief Strategic Family Therapy

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 3 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by José Szapocznik, PhD, Olga Hervis

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      View other formats and editions of Brief Strategic Family Therapy by José Szapocznik, PhD

      Publisher: American Psychological Association
      Publication Date: 28/01/2020
      ISBN13: 9781433831706, 978-1433831706
      ISBN10: 1433831708
      Also in:
      Psychotherapy Psychotherapy: couples and families Couple and Family psychology

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT) is an evidence-based intervention for diagnosing and correcting patterns of family
      interactions that are linked to distressing experiences and symptoms in children ages 6-18. This clinical guide shows
      practitioners how to transform family interactions from conflictive to collaborative, from habitual to proactive, so that the love
      trapped behind the anger can flourish, and family members can re-bond in loving and mutually caring relationships

      Readers of this book will learn how to engage families that are reluctant to become involved in family therapy, and structure a
      12-to 16-week intervention that will effect powerful behavioral change. Therapists help adults learn to collaborate with one another to nurture, guide, and handle misbehavior among children and teens.

      Dozens of detailed clinical examples show practitioners how to navigate family complexities, and how to work through the challenging decision points they present.

      Table of Contents
      Foreword
      Preface
      Introduction

      1. Basic Concepts of Brief Strategic Family Therapy
      Family Systems
      Structure: The Script for the Family Play
      Strategy
      Context
      Process Versus Content: A Critical Distinction
      Advice to Therapists
      Key Takeaways

      2. Joining: Preparing the Terrain
      Creating the Therapeutic System
      Joining Techniques
      Advice to Therapists
      Key Takeaways

      3. Diagnosing Family Systems Patterns of Interactions
      Organization
      Resonance
      Family Developmental Stage
      Identified Patienthood
      Conflict Resolution
      Life Context
      Key Takeaways

      4. Applied Issues in Diagnosis
      Encouraging Enactment
      Defining Adaptive or Maladaptive Patterns
      Planning Treatment on the Basis of Diagnosis
      Interrelationship Between Dimensions
      Key Takeaways

      5. Orchestrating Change: Restructuring
      Building on Joining and Diagnosis
      Working in the Present
      Developing Mastery: Helping the Family Build Competence in Adaptive Interactions
      The Process of Restructuring
      Key Takeaways

      6. Pitfalls to Avoid
      Content-Driven Therapy
      About-ism
      Centralization of the Therapist
      Lecturing and Philosophizing
      Losing the Leadership in the Therapeutic System
      Doing for the Family or Playing a Family Role
      Getting “Sucked” Into the Family’s Frame
      Failing to Close the Deal
      Key Takeaways

      7. Engaging Families Into Brief Strategic Family Therapy
      Challenges for Therapists
      Diagnostic Dimensions of Engagement
      How to Engage Reluctant Families
      Working With Challenging Family Interactional Patterns
      Key Takeaways

      8. Applying Brief Strategic Family Therapy to Different Circumstances
      When the Family’s Home Is the Practice Setting
      Family Compositions
      Special Circumstances
      Key Takeaways

      9. Bringing It All Together: The Case of JJ
      JJ’s Case
      Engaging the Family
      The First Therapy Session
      Session 2
      Sessions 3 to 5
      Sessions 6 and 7
      Session 8
      Sessions 9 to 12
      Key Takeaways

      Concluding Thoughts
      References
      Index
      About the Authors

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