When selecting treatment for their clients, couple and family therapists are faced with a bewildering array of competing models. On closer inspection, the most effective of these approaches share common elements. This book surveys the state of the science and practice of today's couple and family therapy, looking beyond single models of treatment to instead present an integrative view of the field and its methods of practice.

In describing how the field has evolved over the years, Jay Lebow articulates a core set of shared elements from which therapists can shape their own best methods of practice. His pragmatic view assumes that family functioning and problems are multilayered, and he advocates an individualized approach to each family based on what is occurring in the system. Areas of disagreement among couple and family therapists are described; so too are some of the ethical questions and areas of value conflicts that arise in this field of therapy. Readers will come away from this book with a clear sense of when couple and family therapy is the treatment of choice, what is known to work in therapy, and what is still debated.
About the Author: Jay L. Lebow, PhD, ABPP, is a clinical professor of psychology and a senior therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University.

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Northwestern University and is a graduate of The Family Institute's postgraduate training program. In addition, he lectures in the master of science in marital and family therapy program and leads a practicum group from the doctoral clinical psychology program at Northwestern University. He is board certified in family psychology.

Since 2012, Dr. Lebow has been editor-in-chief of the journal Family Process. He is the author of more than 100 book chapters and articles, most of which focus on the practice of couple and family therapy, the relationship between research and practice, integrative practice, and intervention strategies with divorcing families. He is the author or editor of six books, including Research for the Psychotherapist, Clinical Handbook of Family Therapy, Twenty-First Century Psychotherapies, and most recently Common Factors in Couple and Family Therapy with Doug Sprenkle and Sean Davis. A major proponent of integrative methods of practice, he is the author of many review articles summarizing the state of theory, practice, and research in couple and family therapy.

Dr. Lebow has served as president of APA Division 43 (Society of Family Psychology), as a member of the board of directors of the American Board of Family Psychology, and as treasurer and a member of the board of directors of the American Family Therapy Academy. He is a clinical member and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a fellow of APA Divisions 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) and 43 (Society of Family Psychology), and a fellow of the Academy of Family Psychology. He was named Family Psychologist of the Year 2006, by APA Division 43.