Book Review: Essential Assessment Skills for Couple and Family Therapists

Abstract

only true if the person is telling the truth about not telling the truth. In dyadic systems, again, one can imagine how this generates even a pathological exchange when the partners must reason and often confuse themselves when attempting to communicate with one another.Pragmatic paradoxes or cases of injunctions and predictions, the authors argue, are truly the focus of PHC. They provide digital communication examples in PHC (pp. 172-212). And they conclude that it is impossible to communicate logically within an illogical communicative context, thus creating an untenable and not meaningful . . . ful relationship. Applicability of Pragmatics of Human CommunicationBoth in PHC and the Paper, the authors emphasize the nature and import of human communication, emphasizing perhaps its applicability to therapeutic settings. How much of these premises can be actually useful to work with couples and families in our pluralistic society? First, we must recognize that human beings usually employ digital communication for most of their overt relationships. Yet spoken and written language in our global culture is truly contextual and limited by space and time; limited by cultures and generations. For example, what X would have meant in early 18th century Italy, did not mean the same in 18th century England. The same is true for X for the same countries when compared between the value meaning assigned to X in the early 18th century and in contemporary 21st century. So, if words and their idiomatic meaning changes contextually by time and space intraculturally and interculturally, how can we address these human communication ''gaps''? Better yet, how can the premises in PHC and the Paper be utilized to address the idiosyncrasies of human language and its communication among individuals, and individuals-in-systems? Answers to these questions must certainly be complicated. However, following the nature of evolution and adaptation of human interactions, we must postulate that the premises in PHC and the Paper may not be applicable to all cultures on earth. This is also probable because there are linguistic limitations (still with respect to digital communication modalities) to languages' syntaxes, and, more specifically regarding the value assigned to nouns. For example, a noun may be feminine and given feminine attributes in a given language, but masculine attributes in another. Would these interpretations influence paradoxical instances and thus the meaning inferred in communicative contexts for both individual and systemic clients? The answer is probably positive. And this perhaps represents the major limitation to PHC and the Paper's postulations.In 21st century America, we live in a consumerist society, and there are a myriad of self-help books to improve couples' communications, for example, built unfortunately on simplistic stereotypes or slogans. With few exceptions, some researchers, including the ongoing research of Janet Beavin Bavelas on face-to-face communication, have produced informed results to help interpersonal...

Book Review: Essential Assessment Skills for Couple and Family Therapists

“…In assessment, beginning therapists are not only responsible for getting information from the client but also conceptualizing the information into a case format for appropriate intervention and treatment modalities. Williams et al (2011) acknowledge the feelings and angst that often accompanies the first few sessions for both the client and the therapist. As new practitioners begin to learn their craft, they are worried about whether what they are choosing to do is the ''right'' thing which can conjure up a host of emotions, both positive and negative.…”

“…In chapter two, Williams et al (2011) offer a short overview of different methods of assessment including clinical interviewing, assessment instruments, observation of behavior, and physiological assessment. Additionally, readers are provided with guidelines for asking questions and for using assessment instruments.…”

“…In chapter three, authors address the process of the initial interview and how to address the presenting problem/problems. Williams et al (2011) are quick to point out that there are multiple viewpoints from which to begin with couples and families in the clinical session. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to listen to all viewpoints and help the clients move forward in their treatment.…”

“…Regardless of a practitioner's field of study, all graduate level practitioners abide by a specific code of ethics that provide guidelines for ethical and appropriate behaviors with clients. In chapter four, Williams et al (2011) present a solid introduction to an often neglected area of discussion for new therapists, assessing issues of safety. Information regarding conducting suicide assessments and specific interviewing frameworks provide the beginning therapist with a general framework for intervention.…”

“…Chapters pertaining to child clients follow the same progression, as well discussion on special issues in addressing children and adolescents including play therapy, drawings, developmental issues, and challenges. Williams et al (2011) supply a conceptual model and checklist for evaluating child and adolescent functioning that is simple and easy to follow for beginning therapists. The developmental section appears to be quiet brief and may need further research on the part of the beginning therapist.…”