Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy Theory

Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy Theory: Cybernetics, Systems, and Communication explores the intersection of general systems, cybernetic, and communication theories as they apply to the field of marriage and family therapy. It offers a foundational understanding of these concepts and how they form the bedrock of systemic therapeutic practice.

The book is organized into three sections, providing overviews of general systems, cybernetic, and communication theories. The book provides a detailed examination of the components of a system, its organization, and the principles of homeostasis and change. This text expands upon conventional cybernetic models to introduce second-order cybernetics and its relevance to observing and participating in therapeutic systems. A deep dive into communication theory, covering verbal and nonverbal types, the layers of message exchange, and the role of paradoxical communication, concludes the text.

Foundations of Marriage and Family Therapy Theory is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in marriage and family therapy, family social work, counseling, or helping skills.