Written for researchers, practitioners, and students in advanced courses, this book furthers our understanding of the complexity of contemporary families. Seven types of families are the focus of this book, based on the research available and the challenges they present for mental health professionals. The family forms discussed are * Adoption * Foster care * Interracial families * Family members with special needs (with a focus on autism) * Families with LGBTQ members * Grandparent-headed Families * Family members with chronic medical conditions The volume establishes an innovative format that fits the new age of evidence-based practice. Each chapter is written by a collaborative team of authors consisting of researchers and practitioners. The former address the prevalence and characteristics of the family form and then present the research findings most relevant to clinical practice; the latter use this as the foundation for their portion of the chapter, in which they discuss strategies for good therapeutic intervention, representing a true integration of science and practice. Readers learn about relevant research findings regarding each family described, as well as gain explicit instruction and case material for which to augment therapeutic efforts with these populations.

Written for researchers, practitioners, and students in advanced courses, this book furthers our understanding of the complexity of contemporary families. Seven types of families are the focus of this book, based on the research available and the challenges they present for mental health professionals. The family forms discussed are * Adoption * Foster care * Interracial families * Family members with special needs (with a focus on autism) * Families with LGBTQ members * Grandparent-headed Families * Family members with chronic medical conditions The volume establishes an innovative format that fits the new age of evidence-based practice. Each chapter is written by a collaborative team of authors consisting of researchers and practitioners. The former address the prevalence and characteristics of the family form and then present the research findings most relevant to clinical practice; the latter use this as the foundation for their portion of the chapter, in which they discuss strategies for good therapeutic intervention, representing a true integration of science and practice. Readers learn about relevant research findings regarding each family described, as well as gain explicit instruction and case material for which to augment therapeutic efforts with these populations.

A critical analysis of the current literature on step-parenting. Early chapters treat theoretical concerns and present models useful to the study of step-parenting. Later chapters summarize research related to relationships within step-families and the development of new roles within step-families.

Pasley and Ihinger-Tallman provide a critical analysis of the current literature on stepparenting and summarize the progress made in research, theory, and practice related to stepfamilies. The chapters are written by contributors with expertise in various fields related to stepparenting. The contributors discuss a range of concerns and issues: theoretical concerns and present models useful to the study of stepparenting; research related to relationships within stepfamilies and the development of new roles within stepfamilies; and practical considerations related to family therapy, stepfamilies and schools, and stepparenting and the law.