This book offers a wealth of up-to-date coverage geared to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy standards. With its practical focus and planned, concise coverage, the book ensures readers gain both a theoretical background and an applications orientation. An entire chapter is devoted to exploring contemporary ethical issues for which no formal precedent has yet been established. In addition, there are numerous case studies, and discussions of the differences between MFT as a distinct profession and MFT as a professional subspecialty. In each of the three major sections, chapters address "general" issues, as well as issues specific to marriage and family therapy. A concluding chapter in each section offers case illustrations that expand upon the material covered in the previous chapter. This two-step presentation helps learners attain a greater understanding of how information is used in actual practice...and helps them more effectively internalize instruction. For marriage and family counselors.