6th Edition

The Practice of Family Therapy Key Elements Across Models

By Suzanne Midori Hanna, Derek A. Ball Copyright 2025
382 Pages 17 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

382 Pages 17 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

382 Pages 17 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

Now in its sixth edition, The Practice of Family Therapy comes at a time when traditional approaches to psychotherapy have given way to multidimensional strategies that best serve the needs of diverse groups who are grappling with the many challenges unique to family therapy practice. With expanded coverage of different models, along with new developments in evidence-based and postmodern... Read more

Part 1: How to Think Systemically: Common Themes 1. Family Therapy: The Interpersonal View 2. The Postmodern Era and Integration 3. Integration of Theory: Common Themes 4. Integration of Practice: Common Factors Part 2: Systemic Thinking in Action 5. Starting off on the Right Foot: Referral and Intake 6. From Problem Definition to Treatment Plan 7. Relational Assessments as Interventions: Exploring Client Experience

Biography

Suzanne Midori Hanna, PhD, is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Irvine, CA. She promotes indigenous practices for marginalized groups who suffer violence from racial trauma, cultural invasions, family disruptions, and ethnic cleansing.

Derek A. Ball, is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in Rock Island, IL, where he has worked with couples and families for almost 30 years. He currently teaches in the MFT program at Wheaton College.

"Once again, The Practice of Family Therapy: Key Elements Across Models provides a high benchmark for excellence in a text that offers students a strong foundation in explaining MFT models, practical case examples, and clear examples of how to integrate theory and practice. The writing is clear and free from jargon in an engaging tone that beginning students enjoy. This text gives a cohesive overview of what systemic therapists encounter in the real world. I encourage all students to keep this text on their bookshelf for future reference when they begin their clinical practice."
Suzanne Coyle, Ph.D., LMFT, is a professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy and director of the MAMFT Program at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN

"Translating family systems conceptualization into easily digestible assessment, clinical skills, and treatment plans.  This book will be of great help for graduate students getting started in the field and for those of us who have been through a few generations of family systems movement.  I will be using this book to get us all out of our heads and into our bodies systemically as therapists, supervisors, and leaders in the field.  Thankful for this thoughtful book and authors for a fresh way of bringing our systemic theories to life with helpful clinical examples."
David J Van Dyke, Ph.D., LMFT, is a professor of Marriage & Family Therapy and MFT Program Director at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL