Integrative Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy in Canada: A Beginner's Guide

A practical guide offers anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed strategies for working with CanadaÕs evolving couples and families. Blending theory with real-world application, it addresses diverse formsÑfrom non-binary to blended and chosen familiesÑusing expert interviews, role-play scenarios, and reflective prompts. Integrative Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy in Canada is a practical and accessible guide to working with diverse couples and families through an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed lens. Written in a conversational style, this textbook reflects the contemporary realities of couples and families in Canada today—recognizing that they are varied, multi-faceted and constantly evolving. The book begins with an overview of theoretical approaches and trauma-informed care before guiding readers on how to apply these concepts in the therapeutic and counselling process, from assessment to termination. The chapters cover topics including blended families, non-binary and LGBTQ2 families, polyamorous families, co-parenting families, chosen families, and families experiencing substance use or mental health challenges. Chapters feature "spotlight" interviews where experts in the field explore topics such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, therapy with neurodivergent families, and therapy with BIPOC families. Role-play scenario activities are interwoven throughout, offering a scenario and corresponding role-play questions to serve as prompts for interactive classroom or group learning. Reflective questions and glossaries conclude each chapter to further promote engagement and comprehension. Filled with pedagogical features and reflective of diverse Canadian contexts, this practical resource will be valuable for courses in couple and family therapy, social work, or counselling psychology.