Theory and Practice Of Brief Therapy

This text provides an overview of the "whys" and "hows" of brief therapy. The authors identify the central features of effective, time-limited interventions for individuals, couples, families and groups. Taking a developmental approach to treatment, they explain how brief therapy can help at different times in a patient's life, as changes and transitions bring on new stresses and challenges. A practical framework is provided for selecting and screening patients, rapidly finding a focus for clinical work and making optimal use of available time. Case examples and extensive transcripts are included to illustrate the use of strategies and techniques drawn from many different psychotherapy perspectives. Throughout, the focus is on creative and efficient ways to help patients build on existing strengths and make desired changes in their interactions with others.

Table of Contents:
1. The Practice of Brief Therapy: An Introduction 2. Initiating Brief Therapy 3. Common Foci in Brief Therapy and Some Basic Assumptions 4. Losses 5. Developmental Dysynchrony 6. Marital and Family Conflicts: Early Treatment Issues and Assessment 7. The Brief Therapy of Marital and Family Conflicts 8. Symptomatic Presentations: The Uses of Clinical Hypnosis 9. Treating Personality Disorders 10. Time-Limited Group Psychotherapy 11. Time and Termination 12. A Case Transcript

About the Author :
Simon H. Budman, PhD, until his death in 2017, was an internationally known behavioral psychologist, researcher, and author. He was the founder of Inflexxion, which helps healthcare organizations, provider communities, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory authorities improve patient care and inform public policy. Alan S. Gurman, PhD, until his death in 2013, was Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. A pioneer in the development of integrative approaches to couple therapy, he edited and wrote many influential books; was a past two-term editor of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy; and was former President of the Society for Psychotherapy Research. Dr. Gurman received numerous awards for his contributions to couple and family therapy, including the Distinguished Achievement in Family Therapy Research Award from the American Family Therapy Academy and the Distinguished Contribution to Family Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association. He also received the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Teaching and Training from the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers.

Review :
"This book is an excellent antidote to seat-of-the-pants brief therapy as it is commonly practiced...and it is a must in the process of retraining....Budman and Gurman have given us not only the theory and rationale that will make one a believer in brief therapy, but also the techniques that will make one a good brief therapist."--Nicholas A. Cummings, PhD "This volume has set the standard for works on brief psychotherapy. It offers a well-conceived combination of thoughtful consideration and empirically based evidence. Budman and Gurman capture the essential qualities that are common to many forms of brief therapy, while discussing applications to a variety of specific problems and populations. Accessibly written, this is an ideal resource and text for graduate-level students."--Thomas H. Peake, PhD, ABPP, School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology "Highly recommended! Will likely become the standard in the field."--Gerald L. Klerman, MD