Integrative Systemic Therapy for Families with Children and Adolescents: A Clinician's Handbook
Book Details
- Publisher : Routledge
- Published : November 2026
- Cover : Paperback
- Pages : 186
- Category :
Forthcoming - Category 2 :
Child and Adolescent Studies - Catalogue No : 98677
- ISBN 13 : 9781041084297
- ISBN 10 : 1041084293
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This book provides an in-depth introduction to the theory and application of Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) when working with children and their families, allowing clinicians to enhance their skill set and capacity to work effectively with this population.
Written by internationally recognized experts in the field of systemic family therapy, this book describes the development and theoretical underpinnings of IST and essential considerations for working specifically with children and adolescents to develop a strong therapeutic alliance. Readers follow a clinical case involving a multi-problem family through the authors' framework for treatment. Chapters explore how to locate and identify problems, reduce the impact of children-specific problems, and work with constraints pulling from the therapist's arsenal of multisystemic tools. Special attention is given to clinical case formulations and strategies for addressing situations when therapy progress is limited and relational difficulties compound the presenting problems.
This book is suitable for a wide range of mental health professionals as well as students of clinical psychology, counselling, and clinical social work who work regularly or intermittently with children, adolescents, and their families.
Reviews and Endorsements
'Whittaker and Lorås’ book is a pathbreaking extension of Integrative Systemic Therapy into the domain of child and adolescent problems. This domain has been touched upon in previous IST writings from a high-altitude perspective. Whittaker and Loras bring that perspective down to 50 feet, where the reader can see and feel the pain and joy of these children and their families as they struggle to address and resolve their problems. In this incredibly thoughtful and practical book, the authors offer systemically oriented therapists a detailed map of the child and adolescent terrain, with specific guidelines and deep wisdom for helping these children and their families.'
William Pinsof, Ph.D., LMFT, ABBP, Pinsof Family Systems
'This book is a gem. Whittaker and Lorås show how IST distills insights from many schools of family therapy and relevant research into principles that are exceptionally practical in guiding clinical work with complex, child-focused family problems. This is a cutting-edge guide on how to practice contemporary family therapy. A book that must be read by both therapists in training and experienced clinicians.'
Alan Carr, PhD, professor of Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin
'This book is an essential read for clinicians working with families. Accessible IST tools lay the groundwork for theoretical integration, and rich vignettes bring theory to life. It shifts the focus from individual symptoms to layered family dynamics shaped by cultural contexts. It helps therapists navigate the nuances of clinical decision-making.'
Yaliu He, PhD, LMFT, associate professor, Iona University, Marriage and Family Therapy Department
'The book emphasizes the research foundation of the coherent IST model and presents it as a source of reassurance for a resilient future within a systemic perspective on psychotherapy. Here you are introduced to the relational and dialogical core of the model in systemic work, while ensuring that practice remains transparent, reflexive, and responsive to diversity. Working alliances with all family members are highlighted as key tasks, especially with children and young people. The book is highly recommended reading.'
Johan Sundelin, DMSc, certified pyschologist, certified psychotherapist
Table of Contents
Part I
1. Introduction
2. Family Systems Theory
3. Core Concepts Of IST
4. Conversing with Children And Adolescents: Alliance as the Foundation in Therapy
5. The Hypothesizing Metaframeworks as they Relate to Children And Adolescents
6. The Hypothesis and Planning Matrix
Part II
7. First Contact and Defining the Problem
8. Case Formulation and the Process of Gathering Information
9. Strategies for Locating a Problem in a Problem Sequence
10. Identifying and Implementing a Solution Sequence
11. Identifying and Addressing Constraints
12. Use of Feedback Tools in Family Therapy With Children and Adolescents
13. Evaluating and Concluding Therapy
14. Concluding Comments
About the Author(s)
Kristoffer J. Whittaker, PhD, is a clinical psychologist practicing at the family counselling office, Senior Researcher at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, and Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo, Norway.
Lennart Lorås, D.Sys.Psych, MA, is Professor at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and Professor II at VID Specialized University, Norway. He is an internationally recognized leader in the field of Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST), with many years of research and clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health.
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