Innovations in the Reflecting Process

This book celebrates the life and work of Tom Andersen, who developed and promoted worldwide the reflecting conversation process, now referred to as dialogical or conversational practice, and which is transforming the practice of family therapy. The volume illustrates Andersen's passion for inspiring and supporting local efforts to transform mental health services throughout the world. Some chapters describe projects in their local communities, in places as diverse as Africa, South America, and Central Europe, in which they have creatively applied some of Andersen's ideas to change the way services are delivered and the way patients are understood and addressed. Others show how Anderson's ideas can act as a springboard for other major contributors to the family therapy field to develop and refine their own theoretical positions. The book is well framed by the two editors, who have known and worked with Andersen for many years, yet they have avoided any urge to deify him. Instead they give a clear-eyed description of his place in the field and the relevance of his ideas for systemic therapists and consultants. Central to this volume are Andersen's notion of respect, resourcefulness of clients, collaborative relationships, dialogue, and, of course, the well-known reflecting process'notions arising from Andersen's work and evolution as a therapist, but also shown in the context of actual practice so they can bring fresh ideas for contemporary therapists. "This is an important book for our Series. It brings together people who have either previously contributed books to this Series or have been 'present' in many volumes through the force and influence of their ideas. The book engages the reader at two levels. On one level it demonstrates how the ideas that Tom Andersen promulgates can be developed, or, as it seems in several chapters, how they can act as a springboard for other major contributors to the family therapy field such as Hoffman, Seikkula, Shotter and Harlene Anderson to develop and refine their own theoretical positions. Central to these authors are Andersen's notion of respect, resourcefulness of clients, collaborative relationships, dialogue, and, of course, the well-known reflecting process, but because these authors are sharpening the cutting edge of their own thinking, they are bringing fresh ideas for contemporary therapists." --David Campbell and Ros Draper, from the Editors' Foreword "The passion to continually be on the move to seek new understanding is a characteristic of the field of family therapy and systemic thinking over the last forty years. Many professionals have moved around, more or less freely, in and out of this field. Some have made footprints that will last for a long time. One of these is Tom Andersen. From a position as professor in social psychiatry at the University of Tromsø in northern Norway he has moved around the world participating with other professionals in their efforts to develop their work and seek wider horizons."--Harlene Anderson and Per Jensen, from the Preface