“In this outstanding book, Edwards, Patterson, and Griffith bring their scholarship and clinical expertise to offer a current, novel perspective on the family life cycle, a foundational topic in family therapy. Questioning the formulaic notion that families experience developmental stages and transitions in predictable ways, every chapter offers a biopsychosocial and systemic approach that informs conceptually, presents evidence-based resources, and provides guidelines for clinical work. This book will become the 'go-to' text to teach master's- and doctoral-level students in family therapy, and will be useful for clinical supervisors. It covers both evolving universal issues and the specific intersectionalities of LGBTQ individuals, intercultural couples, and other diverse family forms today. Readers will be touched by and learn from the many moving stories of clients navigating the inevitable relational changes that accompany family development.”

—Celia J. Falicov, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, University of California, San Diego


“An exceptional training and practice resource. Unlike many other books I have encountered, this one addresses both common and uncommon day-to-day challenges faced by individuals and families, with remarkable sensitivity and insight. The transtheoretical clinical recommendations, grounded in empirical evidence and practical wisdom, seamlessly integrate theory and application. This thoughtful guide is an invaluable asset for psychotherapy students and practitioners seeking to enhance their skills and understanding.”

—Timothy Sim, PhD, Head, Master of Counseling Program, Singapore University of Social Sciences


“This book is a gem for students and experienced practitioners alike. Organized around the dimension of time, the text expertly highlights the breadth of family experience in meeting the challenges of life course transitions. The authors provide core principles and a wealth of guidance for working with families through a developmentally informed, systemic, biopsychosocial, and strengths-based perspective. The book is sensitive to diverse family forms and multicultural issues. Coverage includes both normative and disruptive life course transitions, such as separation and divorce, single-parent families and stepfamilies, chronic illness, and loss.”

—John S. Rolland, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Executive Co-Director, Chicago Center for Family Health


“This book stands out with its practical approach to supporting families at every stage of growth and change and addressing both common and complex transitions. It is an ideal text for graduate-level courses in family therapy, psychology, and social work. In my classroom, I would use this book to illustrate the nuanced emotional and relational challenges that families face, from marriage to parenting to aging. Students would benefit from its blend of theory and hands-on strategies and skills.”

—Manijeh Daneshpour, PhD, Systemwide Director, Couple and Family Therapy, Alliant International University