Strengthening Family Resilience, Second Edition

Traditional family systems theory which contributes to the development of various family therapy schools is largely derived from clinical observations of families with psychitric patients. Many family researchers were eagerly looking for what causes individual pathology within families. They ignored the bright sides. Even when facing major crisis, each family has its own strengths to help itself go back on track. Sometimes that resilient power may make the family become even healthier and stronger than before. Dr. Froma Walsh outlines the qualities that help families sustain the storming weather, and suggest a new approach of clinical practice. The book has three parts. Part I is an overview providing theoretical foundations for this approach. It also dicusses the family diversity issues in this changing society. Part II contains four chapters. First three chapters address the three key family processes in resilience, which are Belief Systems, Organizational Processes, and Communication Processes. The remaining chapter offers an integrative framework for family assessment. Part III explores family resilience through crisis and challenge. Death and loss and chronic illness are chosen for illustrating how family develops resilience through adversity or traumatic experiences. The author then dicusses how to treat vulnerable multi-crisis families through strength-based and family-centered services. The book closes with the chapter on reconnection and reconciliation. Combining with family-of-origin work and forgiveness promotion, the author offers ways to "mend the broken hearts." I found this book easy to read, and the organization is very clear. It is a excellent basic text for understanding fundamantal family system dynamics. Is is also very useful for counselors and therapists to alter the views to emphasize more on the strengths of individuals and families, rather than on the deficits and weakness.

This book was actually quite good. I have heard some people describe it as "dry" or "too clinical"; however I thoroughly enjoyed Walsh's approach. Walsh seems like a doctor who is concerned with strengthening families while aiding the mental health of the individual and helping clients find a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives and role within the family. Walsh analyzes and portrays how families can build resilience, overcome crisis, prepare and strengthen their family for future predicaments and rebuild the bridges that have torn families apart. She has a positive outlook on life and family. Walsh does not discredit nor attack a family/individual for any faults but manages to show opportunities to heal and rebuild. She reiterates continually through the book that families are a diverse and dynamic unit; we must have many different manners of clinician approaches to deal with these dynamics. For a clinical approach I recommend this book. This book is also great to reinforce an individual positively who is struggling and dealing with their own issues with a spouse/child/family.

Heartfelt and exceptionally well-referenced, this wonderful book by Dr. Froma Walsh holds many keys for success in the 21st century. Dr. Walsh discusses the elements that make individuals resilient and expands them to families and communities. Offering many recipes and solutions for balance in our modern and stress-filled world, this book is an important way to promote health and happiness for yourself and your loved ones. I recommend it for any caring professional that works with children or families.

I needed a reference for working with individuals challenged by chronic illness and this was a great book to help with that. Covered family work in a number of common situations and spoke to helping families come to terms with the challenges they face using a positive framework.

Laid out nice. It has a logical development and covers the material appropriately. Print could be a bit larger to make reading easier.

Needed this book for a class and was excited to find it on here for cheap compared to my school's bookstore. This book is wonderful, easy to read, and shipped very quick!

The book is excellent and arrived in excellent condition. The book did meet me expectations and therefore I have no complaints. :)

Loved the book! The best part were the case studies that helped you apply what you learned.

Well written, clearly argued and backed up with comprehensive references, this text will help practitioners to focus on what is working and build on it.

Excellent!

Good read