Marital Therapy Concepts and Skills for Effective Practice

includes index and biblioraphy

FOUNDATIONS OF MARITAL THERAPY 1 DIMENSIONS OF MARRIAGE 3 Chapter Objectives 3 Introduction 3 The Couple System 4 Gender Differences 5 The Effects of Race and Culture 8 The Life Cycle of a Family 10 Marital Skills Inventory References 28 Psychological Tasks of Marriage Conclusion 27 Key Points 27 MODELS OF MARITAL THERAPY 30 Chapter Objectives 30 Introduction 30 Structural Model 30 Therapeutic Process 31 Strategic Model 36 Behavioral Marital Model 43 Transgenerational Model 52 Solution-Focused Marital Therapy Model 64 Conclusion 69 Marital Skills Inventory Key Points 69 References 70 ASSESSMENT, CONCEPTS, AND SKILLS 73 PROCESSING THE REFERRAL AND STRUCTURING THE INITIAL INTERVIEW 75 Chapter Objectives 75 Introduction 75 Couple Information 76 Statement of the Problem 78 Prior Interventions 78 Other Pertinent Information 79 Setting Up Appointments 79 Setting the Stage for Therapy 81 Conducting the Initial Interview 81 Joining 82 Identifying What Is "Right" in the Relationship 83 Beginning Therapy 85 Developing an Operational Definition of "The Problem" Assessing Who Owns the Problem 86 Conclusion 88 Marital Skills Inventory Key Points 89 ASSESSING THE PROBLEM FOR TREATMENT PLANNING 91 Chapter Objectives 91 Introduction 92 Assessing Relationship History 92 Assessing Interactions Through the Interview 94 Objective Assessment of Marital Interaction 94 Enacting the Interactional Patterns 100 Assessing Support Systems 101 Assessing for Comorbidity 101 Deciding on Couple Therapy Versus Individual Therapy 103 Creating an Atmosphere for Change 105 Establishing Goals 106 Obtaining the Couple`s Commitment 107 Formulating the Contract 107 Conclusion 108 Marital Skills Inventory 109 Key Points 109 References 111 DEVELOPING TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 111 Chapter Objectives 111 Introduction 111 Constructing Goals 112 Starting Treatment 113 Operationalizing Goals 114 Utilizing Partner Strengths in Developing Goals 116 Overcoming Reluctance to Attend Therapy 120 Choosing the Best Intervention 121 Conclusion 123 Marital Skills Inventory 124 Key Points 123 TREATMENT CONCEPTS AND SKILLS 125 DEVELOPING RULES FOR NEGOTIATING CONFLICT 127 Chapter Objectives 127 Introduction 127 Common Conflicted Interactions 128 Gender Differences 129 Marital Conflict Styles 130 Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse 132 CONTENTS Conflict That Turns to Violence Managing Conflict 137 Conclusion 141 Key Points 142 Marital Skills Inventory References 143 ENHANCING COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING 144 Chapter Objectives 144 Introduction 144 Cultural Issues 145 Gender Issues 146 Coaching Communication 148 Rules for Effective Communication 152 Obstacles to Effective Communication 155 Conclusion 156 Marital Skills Inventory Key Points 157 BUILDING TRUST AND INTIMACY 160 Marital Skills Inventory References 172 Chapter Objectives 160 Introduction 160 Trust 160 Building Trust 161 Intimacy 163 Enhancing Intimacy 165 Barriers to Intimacy 169 Conclusion 171 Key Points 171 HANDLING UNRESOLVABLE PROBLEMS 173 Chapter Objectives Introduction 173 Unchangeable Problems Acceptance 176 Promoting Acceptance Conclusion 184 Key Points 184 Marital Skills Inventory References 185 BUILDING SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE 186 Chapter Objectives 186 Introduction 186 Need for Support 187 Sources of Support 188 Assessing Areas of Interest 190 Developing Rituals 190 Developing Shared Beliefs 192 Strategies for Identifying Sources of Support 192 Specifying Obstacles to Getting Support 194