This classic volume, now completely revised, has helped tens of thousands of therapists integrate play therapy and family therapy techniques in clinical practice. Eliana Gil demonstrates a broad range of verbal and nonverbal strategies for engaging all family members--including those who are ambivalent toward therapy--and tailoring interventions for different types of presenting problems. Numerous case examples illustrate ways to effectively use puppets, storytelling, art making, the family play genogram, drama, and other expressive techniques with children, adolescents, and their parents. Gil offers specific guidance for becoming a more flexible, creative practitioner and shows how recent advances in neuroscience support her approach. Photographs of client artwork are included. New to This Edition *Incorporates 20 years of clinical experience and the ongoing development of Gil's influential integrative approach. *All-new case material. *Discusses how current brain research can inform creative interventions. *Heightened focus on personal metaphors, complete with detailed suggestions for exploring and processing them.

This popular text helps students and clinicians build essential skills common to all family interventions. The entire process of systemic therapy is richly illustrated with chapter-length case examples. Rather than advocating one best approach, the author shows that there are multiple ways of working, and provides reflection questions and exercises that encourage readers to develop their own clinical style.

"Since its initial publication, this acclaimed work has provided a comprehensive conceptual framework and hands-on strategies for culturally competent clinical practice with Latino families and individuals. Practitioners and students gain an understanding of the family dynamics, migration experiences, ecological stressors, and cultural resources that are frequently shared by Latino families, as well as variations among them. Through in-depth case illustrations, the author shows how to apply a multicultural lens to assessment and intervention that draws on each client's strengths. Creative ideas are presented for addressing frequently encountered clinical issues and challenges at all stages of the family life cycle. New to This Edition *Reflects the ongoing development of the author's multidimensional model, including additional assessment/treatment planning tools. *Incorporates the latest clinical research and over a decade of social and demographic changes. *Chapter on working with geographically separated families, including innovative uses of technology. *Chapters on health disparities and on adolescents. Expanded discussion of same-sex marriage, intermarriage, divorce, and stepparenting. Subject Areas/Keywords: acculturation, adolescents, assessments, Chicano, children, clinical practice, couples, cultural diversity, discrimination, ethnicity, families, family therapy, Hispanic, immigrants, immigration, Latino, mental health, migration, parenting, prejudice, psychotherapy, racism, religion, spirituality, treatments Audience: Therapists and counselors working with families; instructors and students in family therapy, clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work, counseling, and nursing"--

Readable and concise yet immensely informative, this bestselling text prepares students and new therapists to work confidently and effectively in real-world clinical practice with families. The authors offer wise and compassionate guidance on everything from intake and assessment to treatment planning, the nuts and bolts of specific interventions, the nuances of establishing therapeutic relationships, and how to troubleshoot when treatment gets “stuck.” They help the novice clinician navigate typical dilemmas and concerns, and spell out the basics of therapist self-care. Vivid case examples, sample forms, and quick-reference tables enhance the utility of the text. New to This Edition *Updated throughout to reflect current clinical findings and practices. *Many new or revised case examples. *Now more integrative--shows how to flexibly draw on multiple theories and techniques. *New topics, including "Dealing with Clients We Dislike." See also the authors' Essential Assessment Skills for Couple and Family Therapists, which shows how to weave assessment into all phases of therapy, and Clinician's Guide to Research Methods in Family Therapy.

This volume presents a variety of play approaches that facilitate children's healing in a shorter time frame. Invaluable for any clinician seeking to optimize limited time with clients, the book provides effective methods for treating children struggling with such challenges as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, disruptive behavior, mood disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and parental divorce. Individual, family, and group treatment models are described and illustrated with richly detailed case examples. Featuring session-by-session guidelines, chapters demonstrate how to engage clients rapidly, develop appropriate treatment goals, and implement carefully structured brief interventions that yield lasting results.

Incorporating mindfulness and family therapy into play-family sessions. When a child is offered a space to relax the “busy mind,” his experience is comparable to mindfulness meditation. Therapists can help children remain in this calm state—in the state of the present moment—if they have the right tools and techniques to do so. During this stillness, a child can reach a level of consciousness that is parallel to the deepened awareness that occurs during mindfulness meditation. Conducting play sessions in this stage allows for healing and progress. Not only can the symptoms of children’s pain be reduced in intensity and duration, but their self-esteem can be enhanced. This book presents a new and comprehensive framework for helping children through play therapy within the context of the family and incorporating ideas from the practice of mindfulness. This experience-based therapeutic model respectfully derives from the best roots of traditional family therapy and play therapy modalities. Additionally, it draws from child development theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and mindfulness. Either spontaneous play or directed play can be used according to the need.

While there are many volumes that survey the field of family therapy, Family Therapy Sourcebook provides something different: a roadmap to classic and state-of-the-art work on foundational issues in theory, research, and practice. More than a textbook or a summary of primary sources, this volume is a comprehensive guide to original source materials for the student or teacher of family therapy. Covering the traditional family therapies and more, each chapter presents a selective annotated bibliography, highlights key concepts and clinical techniques, discusses research issues, and proposes creative teaching strategies. Describing helpful assignments and experiential learning exercises for educators, the authors share valuable expertise gained from years of teaching.