An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy

"This book provides a scholarly and practical approach to the advancements in the field of family therapy. Readers will benefit from discussions on the influence of gender, culture, spirituality, and sexual orientation. This well-conceived text is a must-read for those who are teaching, learning, and looking to expand their knowledge about family therapy approaches, research, and ethical issues."-- Jennifer Hodgson, PhD, LMFT, Professor, East Carolina University; Former Chair, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education

"Drs. Wetchler and Hecker have recruited the top thinkers in family therapy theory and practice to share their knowledge of the field in this revised volume. This text presents critical and often overlooked information about both the history of family therapy and the field’s most contemporary issues in a clear, easy-to-read manner. It is a perfect addition to any MFT’s bookshelf, whether you are just orienting yourself to the world of family therapy or have been practicing for a lifetime." --Katherine M. Hertlein, PhD, Program Director, UNLV; Co-author, The Couple and Family Technology Framework

"This second edition remains an engaging, pithy introduction to the rich history and practice of marriage and family therapy. The authors include as central concepts contextual issues of gender, race, culture, sexual orientation, and spirituality. They extend their focus into the future through topics such as the emergence of evidence-based therapy and common factors, and the role of marriage and family therapy in addressing critical clinical issues such as mental and physical illnesses, family violence, substance abuse, and sexual dysfunction. This is a perfect master’s-level text, but it is also for anyone who wants to know more about the breadth, depth, and trajectory of our evolving, dynamic field." --Fred P. Piercy, PhD, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Virginia Tech; Editor, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy