Applying Critical Social Theories to Family Therapy Practice (AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy) By Teresa McDowell

This volume applies critical social theories to family therapy practice, using sociopolitical context for a clearer focus on the power dynamics of couple and family relationships. Its decolonizing approach to therapy is shown countering the pervasive cultural themes that grant privilege to specific groups over others, feeding unequal and oppressive relationships that bring families and couples to treatment. Therapy is shown here as a layered and nuanced process, with practitioners developing an ethical human rights perspective toward their work as they aid clients in negotiating for greater justice and equity in their relationships. The book bridges theory and practice by giving readers these essential tools: Strategies for asking clients about social class.A framework for understanding gender issues within the larger patriarchy.Guidelines for relating concepts of race and class in therapy.Structure for creating the family cartography.Ways to utilize a queer perspective in therapy.Illustrative case examples throughout.

Breaking new ground in family therapy, Applying Critical Social Theories to Family Therapy Practice challenges social workers, social work researchers, therapists, and psychologists to push beyond current ideas of social awareness and cultural competence toward truly liberatory client-centered practice. . Applying Critical Social Theories to Family Therapy Practice (AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy)

review Applying Critical Social Theories to Family Therapy Practice (AFTA SpringerBriefs in Family Therapy)

A brief but detailed read, this textbook provides a good framework for applying liberation theories to social justice issues in the context of family therapy. It's a text that assumes a fair degree of familiarity with the subject matter, which makes it a good later reading for advanced graduates. I would appreciate more application examples, and more time spent on chapter 6 regarding issues of power and privilege from a spatial perspective (which is rarely discussed in therapist training). All in all a very good text! 90