Routledge Creative Positions in Adult Mental Health: Outside In-Inside Out (The Systemic Thinking and Practice Series)

This book presents cutting edge developments in Adult Mental Health through the presentation of creative and innovative applications of systemic theory to practice. The first section deconstructs the medical model with some of the current beliefs and practices shaping services whilst placing adult mental health in a wider social and political context. The second half of the book showcases good practice from the field. At either end of the volume "bookends" invite current clients and staff to write about their experiences with the aim of bringing a powerful personal context into the work. We intend to create a shift from third person objectivity to a first person experience as a political act which flows through the book. Review "Sue McNab and Karen Partridge are to be congratulated for assembling this book about creative positions in adult mental health. Each contribution uniquely brings alive in vivid and moving ways the importance of this book, demonstrating how making and taking creative positions can open up multiple opportunities to make a difference that is practically relevant for all those involved in adult mental health. This is one of those books that may well transcend professional and service boundaries and be on the reading lists of all disciplines and be a source of encouragement to people using professional services."--John B. Burnham, systemic family therapist and author of "Family Therapy: First Steps Towards a Systemic Approach" "This collection is a wonderful array of multi-cultural contributors who shape and form the many systemic therapeutic possibilities and innovations in the context of international mental health services. Such diversity is to be celebrated as the main focus of the work is in the public services. The hope, coupled with the artistic and ethical brushstrokes outlined throughout, is indeed heartening in a time of manufactured austerity with its designed cut-backs, contraction, and the predominance of diagnosis with 'results driven' practices at the expense of creative and effective treatments. Thank goodness for the bravery of this book, its editors, and writers in their creative yet critical positionings, and for those vibrant (and sometimes rightly angry) marginal voices."--Imelda McCarthy, PhD, systemic therapist, supervisor, writer, and presenter About the Author Sue McNab