Family Focused Behavioral Pediatrics

Reviewer: Harlan R. Gephart, MD(University of Washington School of Medicine)
Description: This is a guide for clinicians of all types who work with children and who want to develop and enhance their skills working with children and adolescents within the context of the family. The format is one of simple outline, with illustrative case examples.
Purpose: The purpose is to help the clinician to not only assess the child's problem, but to develop solutions within the family-social context. This is a worthy objective since focusing on the child's symptoms alone may prove resistant to solution. The author masterfully meets his goals.
Audience: The book is intended for all clinicians working with children and their families in a variety of disciplines, such as pediatrics, psychiatry, social work, counseling, etc., as well as trainees in all these disciplines. I agree with the author's stated objective. He is a recognized national authority on behavioral problems in childhood.
Features: The book starts with an overview of family-centered counseling. Then, in great detail, it describes important interview techniques and strategies, concluding with ways to enhance family functioning. One outstanding component is the use of many case illustrations. The major shortcoming is that it is perhaps rather wordy and overly detailed in some areas.
Assessment: This book is an outstanding contribution to the field of family-focused behavioral therapy. There are few, if any, similar books available in the pediatric literature. Its usefulness, unfortunately, will be somewhat limited because it is almost excessively wordy and too detailed to maintain the reader's interest.

Booknews

Coleman (pediatrics, University of North Carolina) presents techniques for dealing with behavioral and interactional problems<-- >such as ADD, learning problems, tantrums, and non-compliance<-- >that persist despite traditional child-centered interventions. The approach shifts the focus to interviews with the family, encouraging cooperation within the family to develop their own solutions. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

2 Stars from Doody