ABSTRACT

This volume offers therapists effective, practical strategies for helping patients overcome the psychological impact of a history of serious illness in the family. Using illustrative case material, the author discusses the feelings of powerlessness that family illness can produce in an individual, and describes techniques for fostering a healthier, more empowered attitude. She shows how various assessment exercises and validation techniques can help the person distinguish between reality and the myths that evolved as a result of the family illness.

chapter

Introduction

chapter |14 pages

Family Legacies

chapter |26 pages

Your Family Tree

The Art of Drawing Genograms

chapter |6 pages

Life Drawing

Picturing Yourself and Your Legacy

chapter |26 pages

Fatalists

“It's No Use”

chapter |22 pages

Fighters

“I Make My Own Future”

chapter |14 pages

Fatalist or Fighter

Which Will You Be?

chapter |28 pages

Beating the Odds

chapter |16 pages

Implications for Therapists