This comprehensive text focuses on the multiple aspects of family therapy. It begins by examining various ways that families develop and identifies the characteristics of both healthy and dysfunctional families. It continues by presenting the rationale and history of family therapy, its general processes, and the main theoretical approaches to therapeutically working with families. Also explored are the issues and dynamics in working with special family forms. The book closes with a discussion of the ethical, legal, and professional issues for today's family therapist.