"The Family Crucible"

Paper Summary:

In "The Family Crucible" authors Augustus Napier, Ph.D. and Carl Whitaker, M. D. worked together as co-therapists doing family therapy. They take the reader through a step-by-step introduction and explanation of what family therapy involves. The paper discusses how the authors wrote this book since they believe family therapy is a more effective way to help people and that eventually it will replace individual therapy. The authors also hoped to increase public awareness of family therapy as an option. The book is written conversationally and covers in-depth the experience of one family's year-long therapy. The paper contends that the use of one in-depth family case history throughout the book makes the book consistently interesting and not just theoretical.

From the Paper:

"The therapists at this juncture must "call the shots" and insist that all family members who live under the same roof be present before therapy can begin because the family as a whole has to change. In the case history which forms the first chapter of the book, the son did not appear for the first meeting because the family was not yet committed to the idea of therapy. He was "elected" not to come, probably by something the parents said clued him in that it was okay to stay away. This particular family, the Brices, was seeking therapy because the parents were having trouble with their teenage daughter. Mother and daughter were fighting all the time."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Napier, A. Y. and Whitaker, C. A. (1978). The family crucible. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.

More papers on "The Family Crucible":

• Book Review # 111101 : "The Family Crucible"
• Book Review # 139171 : "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and "The Family Crucible"
• Book Review # 28507 : "The Family Crucible"

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