This videotape and DVD series illustrates complete courses of treatment from the beginning to the end, along with follow--up
information.
The entire family drama unfolds from the initial consultation when the family introduces the presenting problem.
The first session shows the process of joining with the family and the gathering of critical information needed to understand
the family dynamics.
Following this consultation, Dr. Bergman shares with the viewer, via the narration, his clinical thinking about why the
presenting symptom has evolved and how the symptom currently serves to maintain the family system.
Once a clinical hypothesis is formulated and verified in the session, the viewer sees how a therapeutic intervention
is introduced to the family, how the family reacts, and how the therapist reacts to the family's reponses.
Subsequent sessions illustrate the gathering of additional information around the changes that have taken place,
and the prescription of new rituals or "homework" to sustain or produce further shifts in the family system.
Final segments in each case illustrate how the treatment is terminated, with interventions that are designed to continue
or sustain change, or to limit relapses.Two- to five-year follow-up information are provided for most cases.
ABOUT THE THERAPIST
Joel S.
Bergman
, PhD is a former Senior Faculty Member of the
Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy in New York City, where he is also in private practice. He is a Supervisor of Psychotherapy
in the psychology doctoral programs at Yeshiva University and CUNY. He is author of
Fishing for Barracuda:
Pragmatics of Brief Systemic Therapy (W.W.Norton), and an Approved Supervisor
and Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. A frequent guest lecturer and workshop leader, Dr.
Bergman is well-known to clinicians throughout the world for his lively, humorous, and creative approaches to individual,
couple, and family therapy.
