This volume offers the first in-depth and comprehensive view on the reflecting team process, a new and original set of ideas and practices that is transforming the field of family therapy. Bringing together an international group of pioneering contributors, this book advances a concept of therapy as a public and participatory forum in which many voices are heard and affirmed. Therapeutic teams and audiences provide a wealth of creative possibilities as client and therapist collaborate to find new meanings and options for action, opening space for family (and community) change. Through both theoretical presentations and detailed clinical transcripts, the contributors illustrate the benefits and utility of applying the reflecting team approach in a wide variety of clinical contexts.
Review
“….one of the best practical guides to the reflecting team. … presents, in both form and function, the brainstorming essence of an actual reflection team: it brings together multiple, international perspectives to generate new ideas about psychotherapy in its readers. Socialized medicine systems, community mental health centers and staff-model HMO’s are all excellent breeding grounds for the development of reflecting teams, But even fee-for-service and private practitioners who engage in peer and/or intern supervision should consider transforming their supervision meetings into live reflecting teams. The results of simultaneously demystifying the experts and expanding therapeutic possibilities can be exhilarating to supervisors, trainees and patients alike. Steven Friedman’s volume is a recommended springboard for team development.”
“….A noteworthy collection of voices expressing the various ways that clinicians throughout the world have ‘interpreted’ and ‘put into action’ the stance and ethic of the reflecting team….This is an excellent book for anyone looking for wonderful and varied examples of the collaborative, language-based reflecting process.”
“This book is a signpost of a timely and imperative revolution in the history of psychotherapy. It is a celebration of what could be classified as the postmodern era in therapy: letting go of many of our cherished ideas about pathology, psychology, and psychiatry and, instead, inviting members of the community to join forces with us in the search for a mutually acceptable way of conceiving and tackling those exciting challenges our clients continue to bring to our attention.”
“An international cast of therapists share their creative applications of the premises of the collaborative, language-based reflecting process–and vividly show how a plurality of voices and a multiplicity of listening positions interact to enhance new possibilities for both the client and the therapist across clinical and cultural contexts.”
“At last, the reflecting team, the third and perhaps most original of the ‘postmodern’ contributions to the therapeutic process–alongside narrative and solution focus–gets the full treatment it deserves. It is very fitting that it take the form it has in this, Steven Friedman’s second compilation of reports from the cutting edge. He has given us a rich and fascinating series of reflections on the innumerable ways multivoiced conversations can make space for people to change their stories. There is something here for everyone, from the beginner who has been wondering what it’s all about to those of us who have benefited from the breath of air Tom Andersen and his team brought to systemic therapy several years ago.”
“…a wonderful collection of postmodern practices from around the world. Both experienced and novice clinicians will find these accounts exciting and inspiring.”
“A noteworthy collection of voices expressing the various ways that clinicians throughout the world have interpreted’ and put into action’ the stance and ethic of the reflecting team….This is an excellent book for anyone looking for wonderful and varied examples of the collaborative, language-based reflecting process.”
About the Author
Steven Friedman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist at Atlantic Counseling & Consultation in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and a senior consultant at Beacon Health Strategies in Boston. An active presenter of workshops and seminars on time-effective therapy and family therapy, Dr. Friedman serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Systemic Therapies. Widely published, his edited volumes include The New Language of Change: Constructive Collaboration in Psychotherapy, and The Reflecting Team in Action: Collaborative Practice in Family Therapy.