Working with Families of Psychiatric Inpatients: A Guide for Clinicians. By Alison M. Heru & Laura M. Drury. The Johns Hopkins University Press. 2007. 192pp. US$20.00 (pb). ISBN 9780801885778

In the UK, family work continues to be seen as an intervention that is delivered mostly by community services and so it is excellent to read a book which addresses the important issue of providing family interventions within in-patient settings. The effects of mental health issues on the family and the benefits of working with both the service user and their family to aid the process of recovery are explained clearly and in a manner that will encourage and motivate clinicians to cooperate with families more closely.

The book is divided into five parts: part one outlines the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to provide a family-focused approach within an in-patient setting, and the biopsychosocial model, exploring a biosocial assessment and treatment plan. Part two brings together research findings which influence our understanding of the role of family in mental health issues and treatment. Part three deals with mastering the skills a clinician needs to work successfully with the family, such as assessment, family meetings, multifamily psychoeducational groups and genograms. Part four considers the challenges in working with families both from the clinician's and the family's perspective. Part five addresses risk management and family-based services after discharge from hospital.

The authors give very practical guidance following the psychoeducational approach, with excellent case studies demonstrating the procedure and outcome. For instance, there is an example of an abbreviated family assessment carried out to help with time constraints, and practical advice on managing family meetings. Common mistakes made when working with families are also covered.

The book is aimed at medical students and contains information on the core competences required for their training, which relate well to family work. Still, it will also be extremely useful to any clinician from whatever profession working with service users and their families.

Although the book gives very clear guidance to individuals who want to work with families, it does not address the organisational blocks and obstacles to adopting this approach. It is often these that get in the way of clinicians engaging with families.