Integrative Systemic Therapy: Metaframeworks for Problem Solving with Individuals, Couples, and Families

Integrative Systemic Therapy, now in paperback, offers a set of templates that enable therapists to navigate the course of therapy, as well as a treasure trove of case examples to illustrate how therapists can use the IST perspective to treat a wide variety of challenging problems.

Many psychotherapists today work in agencies where they see individuals, couples, and families from a variety of backgrounds who present with a broad range of problems. Integrative Systemic Therapy (IST) is a framework for these professionals, whether they are training in the basics of therapy or are well established in their careers. IST provides early-career therapists with a framework that guides their work and facilitates lifelong learning. It provides established therapists the opportunity to think outside the box of their established practice, using tools that facilitate more comprehensive care.

IST encourages a focused and efficient approach to problem-solving. It offers the means to continually assess the full complement of factors--psychological, biological, interactional, and cultural--that impact clients and their concerns. IST’s blueprint for decision-making in therapy encourages practitioners to draw upon the valuable strategies of various theoretical models and empirically supported treatments.

William M. Pinsof, PhD, LMFT, ABPP, clinical psychologist, family therapist, and clinical professor of psychology at Northwestern University, joined the Family Institute of Chicago in 1975. Directing the Institute from 1986 until 2016, he oversaw its affiliation with Northwestern and renaming as The Family Institute at Northwestern. An advocate of psychotherapy integration, Dr. Pinsof has focused on integrating family systems thinking and practice into a general and comprehensive psychotherapy. In 2016, he founded Pinsof Family Systems, an organization that strengthens and heals complex family systems.

Douglas C. Breunlin, MSSA, LMFT, LCSW, is a clinical professor of psychology and program director for the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. His previous works include Metaframeworks: Transcending the Models of Family Therapy (with R. C. Schwartz and B. Mac Kune-Karrer) and The Handbook of Family Therapy Training and Supervision (coedited with H. A. Liddle and R. C. Schwartz). He has authored more than 60 articles and served on the editorial boards of four journals. Mr. Breunlin has served as secretary, treasurer, and board member of the American Family Therapy Academy and is a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

William P. Russell, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, is a clinical assistant professor of psychology and core faculty director of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. He has practiced, taught, and supervised systemic, integrative therapy for more than 30 years and has held leadership positions in academic and clinical programs. Mr. Russell is an approved supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a board-certified diplomate in Clinical Social Work. He has authored articles and book chapters on integrative systemic therapy.

Jay L. Lebow, PhD, ABPP, LMFT, is editor-in-chief of Family Process. He is a clinical professor of psychology and a senior therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern and Northwestern University. He is author or editor of nine books, including the recent Couple and Family Therapy, Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, and Handbook of Family Therapy. He has engaged in clinical practice, supervision, and research on couple and family therapy for more than 30 years. Dr. Lebow served as president of the Society for Couple and Family Psychology and has received the Society’s Family Psychologist of the Year award as well as the American Family Therapy Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Cheryl Rampage, PhD, serves in the role of senior academic and clinical advisor at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. She was the founding director of the Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northwestern and was vice president of the Family Institute from 2002 until 2015. Dr. Rampage is a clinical psychologist and author of numerous articles and book chapters on intimacy and gender issues in couple therapy. She is a clinical associate professor at Northwestern and teaches a course on intimate relationships. In addition, she maintains an active clinical practice, focused on couple therapy.

Anthony L. Chambers, PhD, ABPP, is the chief academic officer of The Family Institute at Northwestern University, the director of the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, and a clinical professor of psychology at Northwestern University. He is also the past president and a fellow of APA Division 43 (Society for Couple and Family Psychology). Dr. Chambers completed his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Virginia and completed his internship at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in couple therapy.