The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy

If you’re a student or someone interested in learning about family dynamics, I highly recommend! It provides amazing insight into family therapy!

Thank you to Dr. Napier and Dr.Whitaker for giving us a realistic and authentic glimpse into the complexity of family dynamics. This book was recommended to me by a therapist and it has provided me with knowledge and realistic expectations. They provide readers with an opportunity to understand and see what the therapist is writing on their notes behind the scenes. We all have complex family dynamics and Dr. Napier and Dr. Whitaker allow us all the opportunity to sit and reflect on the roles we play In every aspect of our lives. One of the most important and rewarding books I have ever read. Thank you Dr. Napier & Dr. Whitaker. I am no longer a scape goat and will continue to be a cycle breaker for generations to come.

As a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to my peers, and anyone interested in how family therapy works. Presented in the form of the narrated story of a family of five (accompanied by plenty of theory), this timeless volume provides a good high-level look at the family therapy techniques used by the likes of Napier and Whitaker. Interested in becoming a family therapist? Read it. Thinking about having your family attend therapy? Read it. Wondering about the benefits of family therapy over individual therapy? Read it. Are you part of a family? Read it. This is a seminal work, and should be required reading for all MFTs and anyone who treats families. It used to be, but has fallen out of fashion due to it's age. I don't care how old it is (and yes, it is a bit dated), the ideas presented are largely timeless. I just re-read it again this year (late 2016), and loved every page. 10/10. Seriously.

This book was recommended to me by a psychologist as a new way to look at how we each develop in a system (in particular family relationships), and that system must be taken into account. It did just that. Through the story of a family in crisis, alternated with chapters of description and consideration of why the crisis develops, the reader is invited to understand how we can view their issues as part of a whole. For me some of the more important points included: * How we behave and what we feel is greatly influenced by the family we are in and the dynamics of that family. For example, a daughter in the family "is elected" to become a problem because the parents need something to draw their attention away from the problems of their marriage. * How we behave and what we feel actually can start way before we're born in grandparents and great-grandparents family dynamics. * That communication and agreements can happen within the family even without the knowledge it's happened. * Not to underestimate the need in healthy family dynamics for conflict. * That healthy dynamics require honest communication of emotions we are feeling. * Exercise of our respective authorities (parents for instance having more experience than kids so show it) are needed in healthy families. * many more things I did find some of the descriptions of behavior felt dated such as Freud framing more of the discussion than I currently hear in the field (both for his contributions and failures)and I believe we'd currently put different emphasis on some theories. For this I dropped a star off the rating. Nevertheless it opened my eyes to a wider understanding of myself and the dynamics of intimate human relationships around me, that become part of who I am.

I ordered this book for a Family Therapy course that I was taking as part of my Masters program. I thought that I would just read a chapter a week or so until I finished it. However, I was quite surprised that this book is more story like than textbook oriented. I really really got into the story (and learned a great deal about family therapy in the process). I ended up reading the book in its entirety in two days. I really enjoyed this book and have since developed an interest in family therapy. Additionally, this book isn't a tough read and doesn't require prior subject knowledge. I would recommend this to any counseling student or individual who has a personal interest in learning about the dynamics of family interaction. Great book, will look for more by this author!

I'm a creative/ artist, an occasional councellor, and not a therapist, who just happens to like therapy session books and therapy-related tv or movies. I discovered this when following the trail of Edwin Friedman and Bowen family theories. I find the real-time dynamics detailed here quite fascinating, with a "deputy" therapist in the "scene", which I compare to director actor relationship management in theater or on film sets. I can only imagine, the amount of technical discipline demanded - as well as the weight of responsibility shouldered by the therapist-directors must be tremendous. Perhaps why this therapy type is not more popular, then or now. Very enlightening read, regardless. I gained valuable insights about multiple generation family dynamics. Recommended for the intellectually curious or those seeking some alternative perspective on complex family in crisis situations.

Written in narrative format, the family crucible is a great resource for those interested in learning more about the process of family therapy while avoiding the chilly clinical attitude of a text book. Napier and Whitiker have been criticized for some of their unorthodox counseling techniques and it's important that the reader understand that theirs is not necessarily a model to exactly replicate. Instead one should think critically about the techniques presented and analyze what will work in ones own counseling style. Overall, a fun, and informative read that will literally draw the reader in and keep them interested throughout.

Excellent book. It reads like a story. The author has shared his person story and it is interesting to learn thru it. The examples and tips are easy and interesting.

Very informative and helpful! Felt like I was in the room with the therapists and the family. I would recommend for all therapists!

Part of the curriculum for my psych course. Really enjoyed this book. People seeing me reading it have also mentioned how much they enjoyed it.

Just too good Great condition!!!! Love it !!!

Kept looking forward on the evolution of the relationship. Leaves one wondering how naively we handle family relationships, with so much of unconscious interplay. What I inherit is what I am left to grapple with and with skill this can be handled as ably demonstrated by Dr.Whitaker supported by Gus.