The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy (Perennial Library) Paperback – October 3, 2017

Thank you to Dr. Napier and Dr.Whitaker for giving us a realistic and authentic glimpse into the complexity of family dynamics. This book was recommended to me by a therapist and it has provided me with knowledge and realistic expectations. They provide readers with an opportunity to understand and see what the therapist is writing on their notes behind the scenes. We all have complex family dynamics and Dr. Napier and Dr. Whitaker allow us all the opportunity to sit and reflect on the roles we play In every aspect of our lives. One of the most important and rewarding books I have ever read. Thank you Dr. Napier & Dr. Whitaker. I am no longer a scape goat and will continue to be a cycle breaker for generations to come.

If you’re a student or someone interested in learning about family dynamics, I highly recommend! It provides amazing insight into family therapy!

First, let me say that I've never been a proponent of Therapy. This book, however, has made me re-think that stance.I'm recently divorced. I was very surprised how this book explained, in detail, the process I went through. It provided an insight into family and relationship dynamics that I had not considered at all. While obstensively, it documents a therapy process with a single family, the side notes, theory, and author's comments provide a fuller explanation of the dynamice of relationships that makes this book a "must read" if you are interested in why you do things and how you work within your relationships.I find myself wondering if I had read this before my divorce if there would have been a different outcome. I definitely would have looked at the entire process and relationship differently.I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get a better understanding of relationship dynamics, especially in a family setting.

I was about to write, "Wow, the field of family counseling and coaching has come a really long way since this book was written!" - But then I looked and the book is not that old, it seems like. It says that it was published in 2011, i.e., not that long ago. Hard to believe. Wow. Frankly, it seems really outdated in that it sees like an old school approach. These days the field has progressed and evolved far more in the direction of coaching, and not just "therapy." E.g., see the books by Cloe Madanes, even though she is semi-retired now, or the books about Milton Erikson's approach and the approaches that were developed based on Milton's approach.Frankly, if this family was in the hands of some coach along the lines of Cloe Madanes or Milton Erikson, they would have overcome their challenges so much faster and easier. Instead, they kept going in circles for so long, with the therapists waiting for this couple to dream up their own solutions without any input from the therapists.With that said, I really enjoyed reading this book. For one thing, it reads a bit like a suspense novel.

I'm a creative/ artist, an occasional councellor, and not a therapist, who just happens to like therapy session books and therapy-related tv or movies. I discovered this when following the trail of Edwin Friedman and Bowen family theories. I find the real-time dynamics detailed here quite fascinating, with a "deputy" therapist in the "scene", which I compare to director actor relationship management in theater or on film sets. I can only imagine, the amount of technical discipline demanded - as well as the weight of responsibility shouldered by the therapist-directors must be tremendous. Perhaps why this therapy type is not more popular, then or now.Very enlightening read, regardless. I gained valuable insights about multiple generation family dynamics. Recommended for the intellectually curious or those seeking some alternative perspective on complex family in crisis situations.

As a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to my peers, and anyone interested in how family therapy works. Presented in the form of the narrated story of a family of five (accompanied by plenty of theory), this timeless volume provides a good high-level look at the family therapy techniques used by the likes of Napier and Whitaker. Interested in becoming a family therapist? Read it. Thinking about having your family attend therapy? Read it. Wondering about the benefits of family therapy over individual therapy? Read it. Are you part of a family? Read it. This is a seminal work, and should be required reading for all MFTs and anyone who treats families. It used to be, but has fallen out of fashion due to it's age. I don't care how old it is (and yes, it is a bit dated), the ideas presented are largely timeless. I just re-read it again this year (late 2016), and loved every page. 10/10. Seriously.

Written in narrative format, the family crucible is a great resource for those interested in learning more about the process of family therapy while avoiding the chilly clinical attitude of a text book. Napier and Whitiker have been criticized for some of their unorthodox counseling techniques and it's important that the reader understand that theirs is not necessarily a model to exactly replicate. Instead one should think critically about the techniques presented and analyze what will work in ones own counseling style. Overall, a fun, and informative read that will literally draw the reader in and keep them interested throughout.