Here are the most recent developments in clinical research and theory on the role of the family in understanding and treating chronic mental and physical illnesses. Internationally respected scholars and psychotherapists present comprehensive and authoritative information vital to professionals who work with families coping with severe disorders. Chronic Disorders and the Family explores how clinicians can become more aware of the common experiences of patients and their families struggling with chronic psychiatric and medical disorders, thus promoting a better understanding of the contribution of family dynamics. With its focus on the interactional nature of psychopathology, this important book encourages psychotherapists to compare and contrast the various treatment perspectives and approaches available. Specific disorders discussed include schizophrenia, clinical depression, borderline disorders, anxiety disorders (particularly agoraphobia), eating disorders, substance abuse, and chronic medical illnesses.

Mental Health Case Management: A Practical Guide represents the first modern guide designed to provide students and practitioners with a grounded and practical tutorial on the key functions of a case manager serving adults with severe mental illness. The guide is purposely devoid of extensive theoretical and historical discourse, and rather focuses on a direct and to-the-point approach that time-pressed readers will appreciate when learning the fundamentals of providing mental health case management. Within this work, readers will learn the ABC's of mental health case management ranging from likely psychiatric conditions their clients will experience to working with the local and federal disability systems. This information is captured within a strengths-based, recovery-oriented framework that places empowerment and the dignity of the client being served at the forefront of the delivery of excellent care, and is intended to be augmented with field experience and close supervision by expert case managers. By the end of reading this guide, students and practitioners should have a clear understanding of the foundation principles of mental health case management and knowledge of how to implement these principles into effective practice.

Resistance--any attitude or behavior of the therapist, patient, or system that resists change--is integral to every therapeutic relationship. Family therapists are all too familiar with challenges to their professional credentials, families' reluctance to convene for treatment, cancellations, rejection of therapy, requests to exclude a family member, and numerous other maneuvers that frustrate therapeutic goals. Mastering Resistance presents concrete, accessible strategies for coping directly with specific, commonly encountered problems of resistance. Moreover, it demonstrates how resistance can effectively be used to foster a stronger therapist-client alliance.

Unmarried at 40 could there be anything worse? Our culture dictates that women who have failed to catch or hold the golden ring of marriage are destined to be deprived and depressed, perhaps even dangerous. Add the burden of age and you have a woman headed for disaster. Not necessarily so, say the authors of Flying Solo, who talked with never-married, divorced, and widowed women in midlife across the country. These women's stories offer blueprints for living, as well as inspiration, for other women "flying solo." Most of these women did not intend to be single at midlife. Yet they have given up the dream of "happily ever after" to create lives on their own that are rich and rewarding. The authors share these women's stories as well as their practical advice on managing the mechanics of being single, transforming loneliness, redefining the place of work, developing friendship and support networks, living with and without intimacy and sex with men, and choosing to have and raise children. In the process they define not just a new American lifestyle but a new American Dream."

This comprehensive book, ideal as a basic text in family therapy and women's studies, addresses the question of how women experience family life from a variety of perspectives. It covers gender issues in family therapy theory, practice, and training; women in context (ethnicity and life cycle issues, marriage, motherhood, sisterhood, women alone, lesbian couples), and such special issues as work, addiction, and mental illness.

Here are the most recent developments in clinical research and theory on the role of the family in understanding and treating chronic mental and physical illnesses. Internationally respected scholars and psychotherapists present comprehensive and authoritative information vital to professionals who work with families coping with severe disorders. Chronic Disorders and the Family explores how clinicians can become more aware of the common experiences of patients and their families struggling with chronic psychiatric and medical disorders, thus promoting a better understanding of the contribution of family dynamics. With its focus on the interactional nature of psychopathology, this important book encourages psychotherapists to compare and contrast the various treatment perspectives and approaches available. Specific disorders discussed include schizophrenia, clinical depression, borderline disorders, anxiety disorders (particularly agoraphobia), eating disorders, substance abuse, and chronic medical illnesses.