A compassionate and useful work for practitioners and students of family therapy, this book presents a treatment framework that is compatible with a wide variety of therapeutic techniques. Focusing on the development over time of the family life cycle--from marriages in formation to the "post-parental couple"--William C. Nichols explores the unique challenges and opportunities that each stage of family life presents. Enhanced by illuminating case studies and the author's own deeply personal insights, this lively volume covers the therapy relationship, assessment modalities, techniques of engagement, and termination.