“Frequently, the mere notion of managing more than one client in the room, managing clients of different ages, or managing the intensity of family interactions is intimidating for clinicians of any experience level who are just coming to family work. Taibbi's…book would be a useful place to start for beginning family therapists and clinicians from other disciplines beginning to do family therapy.”

—Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (on the second edition)


“Robert Taibbi, a seasoned clinician, writes with an integration of intellectual confidence and empathy that is inviting to the beginning therapist. At the same time, this book provides an avenue for a more seasoned therapist to pursuing ongoing development. The text is substantive with a powerful reinforcement of pragmatic, sound principles that are integral to the practice of family therapy, regardless of the theoretical approach. The logical, organized presentation of topics helps organize the therapist's thinking about managing the family therapy process, beginning with the elements that serve as a foundation on which a family therapist develops skill, and progressing to strategies for ongoing skill development.”

—Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic (on the second edition)


“The fourth edition of the classic Doing Family Therapy is a joy to read. When I read Taibbi’s work, I often find myself smiling and nodding in agreement. Taibbi has that rare combination of being gifted not only as a clinician, but also as a writer. Time spent in this book’s pages feels like having a conversation with a wise, caring colleague. This is an ideal text for family therapy courses. It has plenty to offer beginning and experienced clinicians alike.”

—Sean D. Davis, PhD, LMFT, Distinguished Professor, Couple and Family Therapy Program, Alliant International University


“Family therapy can be messy for both newbies and experienced clinicians. Taibbi provides an indispensable map that honors the complexity of clinical practice while also highlighting the core of the family therapy tradition. The case examples, vignettes, and metaphors illuminate the concepts we use in the field. Taibbi is a good storyteller whose inviting style will inspire beginning therapists and will help seasoned ones to rethink their work back to the basics. I found the fourth edition's emphasis on context and process to be particularly valuable. I will use this text for my master's course on the theory and practice of family therapy. It provides lots of good advice and great starting points for all sorts of discussions.”

—Gonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, MPH, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston


“Engaging, pragmatic, and well written. In this fourth edition, Taibbi enhances what has been a wonderful resource for so many students of family therapy. As the title suggests, the book focuses on the actual doing of this extremely challenging and complex thing we call family therapy, rather than on promoting a particular approach. Taibbi helps therapists at all levels to better anticipate and work through common stuck points, and to create oases of safety where family members can finally face issues they have feared to address.”

—Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance


​"Taibbi’s wisdom and ingenuity is on full display in this fourth edition. He eloquently and pragmatically provides the knowledge needed to effectively work with diverse families experiencing varying issues. This is an excellent book for graduate students in an introductory family counseling class and for novice family counselors entering the field.”

—Tiffany Wilson, PhD, LCMHC, Professional Counseling Program, Middle Tennessee State University