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Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy pp 1–2Cite as

Epstein, Nathan

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Name of Person

Dr. Nathan B. Epstein

Introduction

Dr. Nathan B. Epstein is the primary originator of the McMaster model of family functioning (MMFF). The MMFF is a theoretical basis for understanding, assessing, and diagnosing family functioning. Using the MMFF as a foundation, Dr. Epstein created a treatment model called the problem-centered systems therapy of the family (PCSTF), a therapeutic approach that focuses primarily on the overall stages of therapy rather than specific interventions and strategies. Together, the MMFF and PCSTF constitute the McMaster approach to family therapy. In addition, Dr. Epstein helped create instruments and a structured interview used in the practice of the McMaster approach.

Career

In 1948, Dr. Epstein received his M.D. at the Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine in Canada. He completed his internship at Boston University Medical Center and residency in psychiatry at the Columbia University School of Public Health. While at Columbia University,...

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Key Citations

  • Epstein, N. B., & Bishop, D. S. (1981). Problem centered systems therapy of the family. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 7(1), 23–31.

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  • Epstein, N. B., Bishop, D. S., & Levin, S. (1978). The McMaster model of family functioning. Journal of Marriage and Family Counseling, 4(4), 19–31.

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  • Epstein, N. B., Baldwin, L. M., & Bishop, D. S. (1983). The McMaster family assessment device. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 9(2), 171–180.

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  • Miller, I. W., Kabacoff, R. I., Epstein, N. B., Bishop, D. S., Keitner, G. I., Baldwin, L. M., & Van der Spuy, H. J. (1994). The development of a clinical rating scale for the McMaster model of family functioning. Family Process, 33(1), 53–69.

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  • Ryan, C. E., Epstein, N. B., Keitner, G. I., Miller, I. W., & Bishop, D. S. (2005). Evaluation and treating families: The McMaster approach. New York: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Kamran K. Eshtehardi & Molly F. Gasbarrini

Authors
  1. Kamran K. Eshtehardi
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  2. Molly F. Gasbarrini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kamran K. Eshtehardi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Jay Lebow

  2. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Anthony Chambers

  3. The Family Institute at Northwestern, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Douglas C. Breunlin

Section Editor information

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, 618 Library Place, 60201, Evanston, Illinois, USA

    Jessica Rohlfing Pryor

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

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Cite this entry

Eshtehardi, K.K., Gasbarrini, M.F. (2017). Epstein, Nathan. In: Lebow, J., Chambers, A., Breunlin, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_840-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15877-8_840-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15877-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15877-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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