Counseling Families Across the Stages of Life: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Helping Professionals. . - book review

Adolescence,  Winter, 2002  

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WEAVER, Andrew J., REVILLA, Linda A., & KOENIG, Harold G. Counseling Families Across the Stages of Life: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Helping Professionals. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002. $30.00 (p).

Counseling Families Across the Stages of Life is designed to be a text for those in training for pastoral ministry, as well as a practical resource for those engaged in ministry with families. The volume addresses family transition issues (e.g., becoming a parent, divorce, sudden job loss, chronic illness, retirement, untimely death) and related mental health problems that may be experienced over the life span. Part I offers information about the important role that clergy and the faith community serve in the mental health care of families. The heart of the book is found in Part 2, which is presented in a format that uses real-life situations while highlighting practical implications for pastoral care. They reflect recent research on relevant issues and recognize that the demands on a family change over time. The case studies are multidisciplinary in approach, integrating clinical knowledge in pastoral care, psychology, family medicine, psychiatry, nursing, gerontology, sociology, social work, and marriage an d family therapy, along with current scientific findings on the role of religion in mental health care. The book is designed so that the reader can easily locate information on specific issues and related mental health problems for which families seek pastoral counsel.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Libra Publishers, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group