Reviewed Book: Olsen, David C. Integrative Family Therapy. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 1993

McCarl, Sandra A.

English

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Integrative Family Therapy

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 20Issue 2 In Praise of Valiant Women Article 2811-1-1994Integrative Family TherapySandra A. McCarlFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationMcCarl, Sandra A. (1994) "Integrative Family Therapy," Consensus: Vol. 20 : Iss. 2 , Article 28.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol20/iss2/28ISO Consensusis Jesus?, 1:1- 4:11; Two—The Messiah’s Ministry to Israel, 4:12-16:12; andThree—The Messiah’s Obedient Submission to Death, 16:13-28:30. Eachof these parts is divided by the flow of the story line, often correspondingto lectionary readings.Hare asserts with Kahler that the Gospel is “a passion narrative with anextended introduction”. “Its dominant characteristic. . . is its moral earnest-ness” (p. 1). Faith in Christ is more than hearing; it is to be lived daily inoi^edience, as proclaimed by the evangelist.Throughout the commentary, the author makes many references to cor-responding passages in the Hebrew Bible. He also makes connections withthe other Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, so much so that read-ing this commentary would familiarize one very well with the developmentof the canon. The reader A^ery early on is brought into the midst of the soci-ety in which Jesus ministered, and the one to which Matthew wrote. Theseare compared and contrasted with our oAvn, and with the issues dominantin the present day. Hare also offers examples of what other commentatorshave written, especially when there is del^ate over translation and inter-pretation. He girms full consideration to passages dealing with the role ofwomen, and argues for a more inclusive apjDroach.The passages in English are not given in blocks, however, translitera-tions of the Greek are provided where necessar}^ Hare does offer his owntranslations where he considers others lacking, and explains why.To 1)U}' this commentary only to have information on the Gospel wouldIdo aMuo enough. However, its real value perhaps lies not in the answers itproAudes, but in the questions it poses. Hare constantly reminds teachersarid preachers of their task by engaging them in the text, by making themstop and think hoAV it relates to the present day, and by challenging theirnotions of Avhat MattheAv meant or means. He keeps both the reader’sintellect and imagination in gear, and in so doing succeeds in aiding theproclamation of the Gospel in faithfulness to the 2000 year old intent ofits author. Hare’s work will not replace other commentaries, but it shouldha.A^e a place alongside those Avhich are more exegetical in nature. His isjust as “scholarly” as those, in his own way.MattheAv H. DiegelChrist Lutheran Church,Windsor, OntarioIntegrative Family TherapyDavid C. OlsenMinneapolis: Fortress Press, 199396 pp. M2. 50This A'olume, Integrative Fam,ily Therapy is part of the Creative PastoralCare and Counseling Series, co-edited by Howard W. Stone and HowardClinebell.Book Reviews 181The myriad of therapies available today poses a perplexing problem forthose ill pastoral care and family counselling. Often counselors apply an‘integrated eclecticism” that utilizes insights and methods from a varietyof sources. Olsen seeks to use a “process of assessment” model for familytherapy that integrates the various approaches for assessing and treatingfamily problems in a problem solving method. He examines major disci-plines of fainily therapy and illustrates how they function in assessment andtreatment. He includes short-term and long-term cases to illustrate eachdiscipline.In Chapter 1 Olsen notes the overwhelming task of pastoral care andfamih’ therapists within the maze of family therapy models. In particular,Olsen talks about how clergy are involved in many developmental transi-tions of family life. They perform ritual tasks such as baptism, catechism,weddings and funerals within a family framework and Olsen gives threeexamples of how complicated this can be.In Chapter 2 he reviews several disciplines of family therapy, touchingon some key concepts of each one. He notes the many aspects of familysystems theory as well as developmental theory. He also examines familytherapy paradigms.His integrated model for family therapy addresses these family para-digms as part of the process of assessment. He notes in this chapter thatthe key concepts of each of these paradigms is the basis of the integratedmodel for assessment.In Chapter 3 Olsen introduces an integrative model of assessment us-ing the family therapy paradigms from the previous chapter. He uses aproblem-solving approach to map out a “process of assessment”.In Chapter 4 he shows how to follow logically this “process of assess-ment” approach to set out a treatment plan. In other words, the assess-ment provides a map that helps the therapist not to get lost in the myriadof treatment issues. The book provides charts to direct the reader throughthe assessment model as well as several case studies.The diagrams are helpful because they move sequentially through anurnl^er of treatment levels. Likewise, the case studies are very helpfull)ecausc they are illustrated by using some short-term as well as long-termstudi('s.Imi)ortantly, th(' assessment model is l^oth secpiential and circular innature. Each hwel opens to another level; problem solving skills displayintf'ractional styk’s which in turn reveal l:>elief systems that originate infamily of origin arid tlu' devcdopmental process.182 Consensus111 conclusion, therapy that utilizes “a theory from here, a techniquefrom there” with no integrating structure or process runs the risk of unwit-tingly using concepts and methods that work against one another. Olsen’smodel provides a map of assessment that integrates the basic paradigms offamily therapy and keeps treatment moving in a clear direction. This bookis compact and helpful for individuals who are face to face with families aspastoral or family counselors.Sandra A. Me CarlConestogo, OntarioPastorPowerMartha Ellen StortzNashville: Abingdon Press, 1993143 pp.This is “a book for those who love to eat, rather than for those wholove to cook”. The author, Martha Stortz—Associate Professor of His-torical Theology and Ethics at the Pacific Lutheran Theology Seminaryin Berkeley, California—explains both the importance and the meaning ofthis claim when she says: “linger over each chapter, savoring the variousingredients.”This is an engaging, at times provocative, at other times affirming, butalways a searching and reflective book on pastor power^on leadership amongthe people of God. Among the assumptions that the author makes are thesethree: pastors have power which they exercise in their leadership; pastorsare power which they live out in their leadership; pastors hold power whichthey work with in their leadership.In describing what this “fine meal” is about, I shall let the author’swords speak for themselves:This book examines three kinds of leadership: “power over,” whichCrin be seen as sovereign, parental, or bureaucratic power; “powerwithin” or charismatic power; and “power with” or coactive power.Th(' discussion of each form of power is presented in a case study,and the case study both critiques and illustrates the analysis of thekind of i)ower in question. Finally, these models of leadership area.nalyzfvl theologically, from an emerging trinitarian perspective, tos('C' how theological understandings of power might form, inform,and transform the use of power described (p. 9 ).Some time ago, a good friend of mine, who was reflecting with me onthe nature of leadership, said: “What you see depends on where you stand.”The correctness of this claim is affirmed repeatedly by Stortz as she defines,explores and searches power through varied experiences, parables, percep-tions and contexts. To understand power, the stories of power, “one has to

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