Integrative Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy in Canada is a practical and accessible guide to working with diverse couples and families through an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed lens. Written in a conversational style, this textbook reflects the contemporary realities of couples and families in Canada today—recognizing that they are varied, multi-faceted and constantly evolving.
The book begins with an overview of theoretical approaches and trauma-informed care before guiding readers on how to apply these concepts in the therapeutic and counselling process, from assessment to termination. The chapters cover topics including blended families, non-binary and LGBTQ2+ families, polyamorous families, co-parenting families, chosen families, and families experiencing substance use or mental health challenges.
Chapters feature “spotlight” interviews where experts in the field explore topics such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, therapy with neurodivergent families, and therapy with BIPOC families. Role-play scenario activities are interwoven throughout, offering a scenario and corresponding role-play questions to serve as prompts for interactive classroom or group learning. Reflective questions and glossaries conclude each chapter to further promote engagement and comprehension.
Filled with pedagogical features and reflective of diverse Canadian contexts, this practical resource will be valuable for courses in couple and family therapy, social work, or counselling psychology.
Features:
A step-by-step practice framework guides students through the full therapeutic process from start to finish
Canadian treatment contexts ground students in federal, provincial, and cultural realities of practice in Canada
Expert “spotlight” interviews with practitioners working in emerging and specialized areas of practice include insight into work with varied and diverse family structures
Integrated case studies throughout the text build on clinical decision-making, ethical reasoning, and treatment planning skills
Instructor resources and in-text pedagogical features include an instructor’s manual, critical thinking questions that tie theory to practice, glossaries to reinforce professional language and key concepts, PowerPoint slides, a test bank, and structured role-play scenarios designed to engage students in the practice of therapeutic dialogue, boundary setting, and intervention strategies
Chapter 8: Interventions to Consider with Families
Chapter 9: Bottlenecks with Families
Chapter 10: Endings or Termination with Couples and Families
Chapter 11: Conclusion
References
Image Copyright Acknowledgements
Index
Biography
Dr. Kara Fletcher (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work and the Director of the Social Work Research Centre at the University of Regina. Dr. Fletcher is a Registered Social Worker and an AAMFT-accredited couple and family therapist. She maintains a private therapy practice in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with a specialization in high-conflict couples and families. Her research seeks to better understand the impact of mental wellness, substance use, and trauma on couples, family, and community well-being.
“The content of this introductory text fits perfectly into one semester and is well-suited for students aspiring to work with the complexity of couples and families in today’s world. It highlights the importance of sensitivity to diversity and trauma and how therapists can position themselves effectively. Written in a friendly style, the book features the voices of experienced couple and family therapists, replete with case examples for discussion and roleplay. This is a great resource for future therapists to expand their focus on relationships in healing!”
—Bonnie Lee, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences (Addictions and Mental Health Counselling), University of Lethbridge
“Filled with succinct interviews from experts in the field and examples of trauma-informed application, this is a good book to have at arm’s reach for those starting their journey as a couple or family therapist and for those teaching couple or family therapy at the post-secondary level!”
— Ajwang’ Warria, PhD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary and Research Fellow, Department of Social Work and Community Development, University of Johannesburg
“Dr. Fletcher has achieved the rare balance of creating an entry point for new couple and family therapists that introduces a wide range of theories, models of practice, and approaches to integration, while simultaneously diving deep into anti-oppressive, anti-racist, decolonizing, trauma-informed, feminist ways of thinking, feeling, and being as a couple and family therapist. This is the resource I have been looking for over the past 15 years.”
—Heather B. MacIntosh, PhD, CPsych, Director, McGill Couple and Family Therapy Clinic, and Associate Professor, Couple and Family Therapy, McGill University
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