Foundational Concepts and Models of Family Therapy An Introduction for Online Learning

This textbook aims to introduce students to the foundational concepts of the marriage and family therapy field, providing a comprehensive overview of a range of models and their practical application. Designed specifically for distance-learning, Yulia Watters and Darren Adamson bring together a collection of experienced marriage and family therapists to teach the absolute essentials of marriage and family therapy without peripheral or incidental information. Iterative in its presentation, the book introduces important systems concepts, provides a compelling history of family therapy, presents detailed exploration of classical and postmodern approaches to therapy, and covers clinical application and treatment planning. It uniquely follows the course structure of the first institution to receiveCommission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) accreditation for both master’s and doctoral online programs, giving students the fundamental knowledge they need to help them prepare for their licensing examination and subsequent practice as MFTs. Written for students seeking to be MFT practitioners, this important volume adds a fresh perspective to teaching and application of family therapy.

1. Introduction: Systems Theory in the Context of Family Therapy Yulia WattersandDarren Adamson Part I- Foundational Concepts of Family Therapy 2. Using Theory in the Practice of Marriage and Family Therapy Kristi Harrison 3. History of Family Therapy Patricia Postanowicz 4. Building Blocks to Conceptualizing Family: A Family System's Perspective Valerie Q. Glass 5. Postmodernism and Social Constructionism: Foundational Concepts Valerie Q. Glass 6. The Core Process of Therapy: Planning Therapy Guided by Theory Kristi Harrison 7. Clinical Practice: Preparing for Day 1 Michael Knerr Part II- Modern or Classic Models of Family Therapy 8. Milan Systemic Family Therapy Valerie Q. Glass 9. Structural Family Therapy Asha Sutton 10. Strategic Family Therapy Emily Schmittel 11. Experiential Family Therapy Amanda Veldorale-Griffin 12. Bowen Family Systems Theory Michael Knerr 13. Emotionally-Focused Family Therapy Emily Schmittel 14. Gottman Method Couple's Therapy Amanda Veldorale-Griffin 15. Contextual Therapy Aurélia Bickler 16. Cognitive Behavioral Family Therapy Amanda Veldorale-Griffin 17. Psychoanalytic Family Therapy Siva Pereraand Emily Schmittel Part III- Postmodern Models of Family Therapy 18. Postmodernism and Social Constructionism in Family Therapy Valerie Q.Glass 19. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Vanieca Kraus 20. Narrative Family Therapy Valerie Q. Glass 21. Collaborative Language Systems Therapy Siva Perera

Dr. Watters is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in FL and DE and has been the Director of Curriculum Development and Professor at Northcentral and then National University since 2012. She holds a PhD in MFT from Nova Southeastern University and a master's degree in Instructional Design from Northcentral University. Dr. Adamson is a licensed MFT and has been a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist since 1987 and a Professor since 1989. He has been with Northcentral and then National University since 2010, currently serving as the Associate Dean for the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He holds a Master's and PhD degreein MFT from Brigham Young University and is licensed as an MFT in Utah.