Now in a substantially revised second edition, this widely adopted text and practical guidebook presents the fundamentals of family-based intervention with clients struggling with chronic poverty-related crises and life stressors. Grounded in Salvador Minuchin's influential systemic model and the extensive experience of all three highly regarded authors, the book illustrates innovative ways for professionals within substance abuse, foster care, and mental health contexts to build collaboration with families and other helpers, and to elicit families' strengths. The second edition features many new case examples and includes discussions of exemplary programs. It also gives increased attention to key factors that make agencies effective and enable them to maintain a family focus over time.