Product Description Adoption is a profound experience that touches upon universal themes of abandonment, identity, sexuality, parenthood, and the sense of belonging. The authors utilize family systems theory to construct a practical treatment approach for working with families on the myriad issues and interrelationships that surround adoption. The model described here is broadly inclusive of all families linked by "the adoption triangle''--birth parents, adoptive families, and adoptees--and it offers practical guidance for implementing differential treatment and effective clinical procedures on their behalf. Review "...Overall, the book will be particularly helpful to therapists whose clients are dealing with adoption-related issues. However, researchers interested in close relationships might also find this book useful for its extensive description of the impact of adoption on family dynamics. I hope that developmental, personality, and social psychologists, as well as therapists interested in the family, will see the benefits to be gained from studying adoption processes in understanding family interactions and personality development." --Review by Valerian J. Derlega. Extracted from CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY. "ADOPTION AND THE FAMILY SYSTEM is a landmark publication in the adoption field. Reitz and Watson have given us a sensitive, thorough, and insightful analysis of the dynamics of adoption as it is experienced by all members of the adoption triangle. As a resource for clinicians, this book should prove to be invaluable. The authors' approach to clinical assessment and treatment is well grounded in family systems theory. Intervention strategies are clearly described and supported by excellent use of case examples. The book fills a glaring gap in the clinical literature on adoption. It undoubtedly will be well received by those professionals who work with adoptees, adoptive parents, and members of birth families. This is a most important book." --David M. Brodzinsky, Ph.D., Rutgers University "This book is a unique contribution to the literature on adoption and family therapy. For the first time, family therapists will now understand how to handle adoption within a family therapy context; and adoption workers will understand the implications of adoption in the family system. Never before has there been a volume which brings together family systems theory and adoption. Especially helpful are the numerous case examples, useful interventions, and examples of good practice for working with all members of the adoption triad and their extended families." --Dirck Brown, Ed.D., coauthor of CLINICAL PRACTICE IN ADOPTION "...a first-rate book that provides a sensitive and insightful look at adoption family dynamics. Undoubtedly, this book will be well-received by clinicians who work with members of the adoption community." --David M. Brodzinsky, Ph.D., in The Quarterly "...an innovative and creative approach for clinical work with adopted persons and their adopted families...Reitz and Watson have written a timely, comprehensive volume...They have made a major contribution to the adoption and family systems literature. Clinicians, especially those working in the adoption field, will benefit by reading this book." --Marvin W. Clifford, B.C.S.W., D.S.W., Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal "Particularly helpful to therapists whose clients are dealing with adoption-related issues. " ( Contemporary Psychology 1992-03-15) "...an innovative and creative approach for clinical work with adopted persons and their adopted families...Reitz and Watson have written a timely, comprehensive volume...They have made a major contribution to the adoption and family systems literature. Clinicians, especially those working in the adoption field, will benefit by reading this book." ( Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 1992-03-15) "Practitioners in many fields will find here a fresh point of view on adoptions. Therapists