This text is a comprehensive survey of the field of marriage and family therapy, with emphasis on a systemic theoretical perspective.

The systemic-cybernetic framework in Family Therapy provides a framework for understanding people and families in context.  The text–divided into three sections including The Systemic Framework, The Practice of Family therapy, and The Systemic Practitioner–includes historical information, current developments,  and ongoing debates. Various family and developmental theories are integrated into a “dynamic process model” for viewing and understanding family interactions and relationships.  Family therapy models considered, include psychodynamic, natural systems, experiential, structural, communications, strategic, and behavioral/cognitive as well as several postmodern  approaches.  Relative to practice, assessment, intervention, training and supervision, research, and epistemological challenges are described and discussed. 

This Sixth Edition includes information on the most recent developments as well as the ongoing issues of  which the family therapy practitioner needs to be aware (Ch. 2).  It has also been updated with the newest information about various approaches to Family Therapy  (Chapters 6-13).  Increased emphasis is now placed on the importance of  training and supervision.  A rich discussion of the most recent research findings as well as related methodological issues continues to ensure this text is the most comprehensive available (Ch. 17).