section.

It seems out of place in an otherwise strengths and solution-oriented narrative of

technique. Gammer considers helping parents set limits, a technique necessary to go forward
with positive work. She states:
Setting better limits is an important part of getting back on track, but opening up more
positive forms of connection is essential, too. . . . How, then, after aiding with limit setting
can a therapist help a family develop more nurturing types of parent–child contact? (p. 109)

I feel that this and the three chapters that follow should form a section of the book apart from
the one on techniques.
In Part II of the book, devoted to bringing the previously discussed techniques together,
Dr. Gammer provides ‘‘a kind of roadmap’’ (p. 155) for therapy, lays out a format for the first
interview, and discusses what kinds of things therapists can do as they proceed with families in
therapy. Where Part I of the book seems geared to seasoned therapists familiar with multiple
models and techniques, Part II reads more like a beginning therapist’s primer on how to do
therapy. Part III provides the reader with an in-depth chapter on working with families who
have a child diagnosed with attention-deficit ⁄ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It also contains a
chapter on sibling relationships that is rich with information and ideas.
The solution-oriented and narrative therapies strongly influence the work that Carole Gam-
mer does. In addition, she is fluent in so many other areas of therapy, that when another thera-
pist familiar with multiple models and techniques reads her book, Dr. Gammer’s vast knowledge
comes across as even more remarkable. After reading this book, I consider Gammer’s work inte-
grative and as such, I feel that this book is also a form of permission for therapists to work crea-
tively, carefully utilizing all of what they know works. This book is a great addition for the
systemic family therapist’s library. Gammer’s commitment to keeping within a systemic frame-
work is commendable and her respect for a child’s place in the family deserving of praise.

Harriet Kiviat, MS
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Gurman, A. S. (Ed.). (2008). Clinical handbook of couple therapy (4th ed). New York:
Guilford Press, 722 pp., $85.00 hard.
It is hard to imagine improving a classic, but Alan S. Gurman has managed to do just
that. In his fourth edition of the Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Gurman has contrib-
uted to and compiled a comprehensive and superbly written collection of chapters in the field
of couple therapy. The book is exactly what therapists interested in couple therapy should read
as they embark on a career in this field. Additionally, as an instructor for a graduate-level
course in couple therapy, this text is ideally suited as an introduction to couple therapy for stu-
dents.
The book begins with Gurman’s thoughtfully written chapter ‘‘A Framework for the Com-
parative Study of Couple Therapy: History, Models and Approaches.’’ Readers should not
bypass the chapter, as it is a definite strength and new with this edition. The chapter provides a
helpful overview of the history of couple therapy and sets the context and stage for the remain-
ing text. Gurman’s use of philosophical quotes introducing each section gives the reader a true
sense of Gurman’s passion in the field. His idea to provide the reader with ‘‘sufficient anchor
points for comparative study’’ (p. 4) works very well throughout the book.
Part I of the text, Models of Couple Therapy, is divided into Behavioral Approaches,
Humanistic-Existential Approaches, Psychodynamic and Transgenerational Approaches, Social
Constructionist Approaches, Systemic Approaches, and Integrative Approaches. Within these, the

January 2010 JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 111

reader encounters 12 models ⁄ approaches to couple therapy, including the most researched and
empirically validated behavioral approaches and Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy. These
chapters generally follow the format described in chapter 1, including background of the model,
history, function versus dysfunction, impact of gender and cultural factors, the practice of the
model, role of the therapist, assessment and treatment planning, interventions, and mechanisms
for change and termination. Individual authors balance well the historical and theoretical back-
ground of their models with the application and tangible case illustrations.
Part II of the text encompasses 13 chapters under the headings of Rupture and Repair of
Relational Bonds: Affairs, Divorce, Violence and Remarriage; Couple Therapy and the Treatment
of Psychiatric and Medical Disorders; closing with Couple Therapy in Broader Context.
Although the handbook includes a chapter on ‘‘Couple Therapy and the Treatment of Sex-
ual Dysfunction’’ by McCarthy and Thestrup, an omission for me was a chapter on sex therapy
with couples. Not all work with couples regarding sexuality is about dysfunction, and those cli-
nicians who specialize in couples work can attest to the importance of weaving conversations of
sexuality in therapy. Although many consider sex therapy itself a specialty, a general chapter
regarding the topic and introducing the area reader would have sufficed.
Another limitation of the text is the sparseness of the last section: Couple Therapy in
Broader Context. With the changing nature of our society and the inevitable richening of the
composition of our couples, this area could have used further depth. Although the chapter by
Boyd-Franklin, Kelly, and Durham, ‘‘African American Couples in Therapy’’ is replete with
helpful contextual information and is well written, those of us immersed in multicultural set-
tings ask the age-old question, ‘‘What about a chapter on Asian American couples, Caribbean
couples, Latino couples, etc.?’’ Perhaps more chapters on other populations as well as one on
intersection of contextual variables and their influence on couple therapy would help round out
the text. Finally, although updating each edition of a text is paramount to the growth of our
knowledge base, I missed the chapter from the third edition of the handbook (2002) by Hardy
and Lazloffy, ‘‘Couple Therapy Using a Multicultural Perspective’’ which provided an over-
arching perspective about contextual issues in couple therapy.
The final chapter by Gottlieb, Lasser, and Simpson on ‘‘Legal and Ethical Issues in Couple
Therapy’’ is a wonderful and needed addition to this edition. The authors divide the chapter
into topics that pose problems, then offer alternatives and recommendations. Perhaps in future
editions of the text, Gurman could consider a separate chapter on ethical issues with couples
and one on legal issues in working with couples as well.
Overall, Gurman has improved on the previous editions of his and Neil Jacobson’s life pas-
sion. This text is a must for any couples therapist’s library, and is in memory of Neil Jacobson
and his immense contribution to the field of couple therapy.

Martha Marquez, PhD, LMFT

Nova Southeastern University

Almeida, R., Dolan-Del Vecchio, K., & Parker, L. (2008). Transformative family therapy:
Just families in a just society. Boston: Pearson Education, 223 pp., $54.00.

Social critiques are not new to family therapy literature and psychotherapy and counseling
literature as a whole. In their book Transformative Family Therapy: Just Families in a Just Soci-
ety, Rhea Almeida and her colleagues add to that literature through the delineation of a model
of family therapy built on social justice values, which they have named ‘‘The Cultural Context
Model.’’ In their own words, ‘‘the model revises the endeavor of family therapy to include the
pursuit of justice at every level’’ (p. 6). Justice, the authors argue, has been ignored by family
therapy models. In their view, while family therapy has recognized cultural differences, it has

112 JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY January 2010