Each family has unique communication habits, yet beneath surface differences common communication patterns arise. Many patterns are healthy, promoting communication that is honest, authentic and tactful. Sometimes, however, habitual responses can develop: 'myths' that become entrenched in the language of an individual family. These Family Defence Mechanisms (FDMs) block healthy communication, instead raising barriers and creating distance. With time pressures at an all-time high and family members spending less time interacting with each other than ever, snippets of homespun wisdom--"it's better not to talk about it;" "better the devil you know"-- become dangerously easy to present as fact. Combining humanist and existentialist perspectives in a new understanding of family dynamics, Destructive Myths in Family Therapy exposes a range of common FDMs, exploring how they can become ingrained negative part of family culture and suggesting strategies for overcoming them. The healthy strategies and group activities in Destructive Myths in Family Therapy engage families in better interaction, helping therapists be better equipped to help clients 'see' the barriers they unconsciously place in the way of change, 'say' things that facilitate resolution rather than resistance, and establish authentic, direct communication within their family unit.
"Although the title might suggest a relatively narrow targetaudience of family therapists, I feel certain that the fascinatingideas addressed here, coupled with the accessible style, would alsospeak to the experienced therapist, the trainee and the lay readeralike. By focusing on what is actually said in spousal, sibling andparental relationships, the authors invite the reader to reflect onthe powerful and often destructive myths, narratives, schemas- call them what you will - that underpin familysystems." (Therapy Today, 1 September 2012)