Main description:

A best-selling text rich in case studies that reflects on the unique complexities of marriage, couples, and family counseling. Developed for students, educators, supervisors, and practitioners alike, this text examines the significant classical and contemporary issues in marriage and family therapy. The text opens with a thoughtful discussion of client and therapist worldviews, value sensitive care, the ecology of therapy, and commonalities between personal and professional acculturation. Following the book's preliminary discussion, the text moves on to consider the legal, ethical, and professional issues that marriage and family therapists face each day as well as the best strategies for navigating these issues.
The new fifth edition includes a number of new topics, including multicultural issues reflecting institutional oppression; boundary, competency, and liability concerns associated with technology-based client care; the significance of supervision in both skill acquisition and professional acculturation in one's early career; nontraditional family care; conflicts between legal and ethical obligations; emerging issues in MFT licensure; and ethical and empirical considerations related to evidence-based care.

Contents:

PART I Acculturation, Worldview, and Value-Sensitive Care: Foundations for Practice Decisions CHAPTER 1 Values as Context for Therapy CHAPTER 2 Professional Acculturation and the Ecology of Therapy PART II Ethical Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy CHAPTER 3 Promoting Ethical Practice: Principles, Traditions, and Considerations CHAPTER 4 Unique Ethical Considerations in Marriage and Family Therapy - Principle Distinctions CHAPTER 5 Unique Ethical Considerations in Marriage and Family Therapy - Practice Distinctions CHAPTER 6 Intimate Partner Violence and the Ecology of Therapy CHAPTER 7 Contemporary Ethical Issues - Contextual Matters CHAPTER 8 Contemporary Ethical Issues - Practice Matters CHAPTER 9 Ethical Accountability: A Casebook PART III Legal Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy CHAPTER 10 The Marriage and Family Therapist: Roles and Responsibilities Within the Legal System CHAPTER 11 Family Law CHAPTER 12 Legal Considerations PART IV Professional Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy CHAPTER 13 Professional Issues: Identity, Affiliation, and Transitions as a Marriage and Family Therapist CHAPTER 14 Professional Issues: Supervision, Licensure, and Professional Development as a Marriage and Family Therapist CHAPTER 15 Contemporary Professional Issues - Questions and Responses