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Review in the MAMFT Newsletter,
March 2005
by Doug Greenlee, MN/MS, LMFT, LADC, CGC,
Book and Media Reviews Editor
Hoistad, J. 2004. Big Picture
Partnering: 16 Weeks to a Rock-Solid Relationship.
Minneapolis: Twofold Publications.
Dr. Jan Hoistad has created
a wonderful 16 week couples’ development program that embodies
critical therapeutic models within the context of language that is
not only reader-friendly but is also indicative of her warm and
embracing style. As indicated by her book’s title, each chapter is
written for the respective week in her overall program. The chapters
focus on creating greater self-awareness about partnering styles,
developing a proactive commitment to self and other, assessing and
adjusting communication styles, increasing awareness of problem
solving and conflict resolution styles, ongoing evaluation of
individual and couple strengths/limitations and embracing creative
change together. Throughout her text, she also provides charts that
clearly illustrate her concepts in ways that clients and interested
others would be encouraged to use in their daily lives.
Hoistad’s text is of
particular interest to the Family Therapist because of its specific
emphasis upon the systemic dynamics that occur within the
individual, the couple relationship and the family. She deftly
creates an easily understood emphasis upon self-differentiation
within the context of couple and family relationships. With aplomb,
she describes the ongoing process and development of self and couple
differentiation with her ‘mine-your-our’ charts that she develops
with greater complexity as the couple progresses through her
program. In addition, she has numerous ‘helpful hints’ lists that
the clients can photocopy and place almost anywhere for visual
reminders of individual and couples goals. Finally, she reinforces
the importance of sustained change via built-in communication
activities, as demonstrated by her increasing emphasis upon the
consistency of shared time in which the couple proactively engages
in problem solving current and potential issues while embracing
creative and co-created change in the couple’s life. Thus, Hoistad’s
text and related program is a very useful clinical resource that is
highly adaptable to the therapeutic process and the changing needs
of clients.
Click here to read the Conversation
Cards for Couples review
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