Marital Therapy Concepts and Skills for Effective Practice

by Brown, Joe H.; Brown, Carolyn S

• ISBN13: 9780534527327
• ISBN10: 0534527329
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-24
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

This book is designed to help entry-level marital therapists learn the concepts and skills necessary for effective practice. The authors emphasize the concepts and skills necessary for effective practice and focus on the current trends toward accountability and the requirements of mental health care brought about by the managed care environment. Stressing the relational perspective, the book helps readers to learn how to develop multiple views of the problem and select appropriate skills.

Table of Contents

I FOUNDATIONS OF MARITAL THERAPY	1	(72)
Dimensions of Marriage	3	(27)
Chapter Objectives	3	(1)
Introduction	3	(1)
The Couple System	4	(1)
Gender Differences	5	(3)
The Effects of Race and Culture	8	(2)
The Life Cycle of a Family	10	(2)
Psychological Tasks of Marriage	12	(15)
Conclusion	27	(1)
Key Points	27	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	27	(1)
References	28	(2)
Models of Marital Therapy	30	(43)
Chapter Objectives	30	(1)
Introduction	30	(1)
Structural Model	30	(1)
Therapeutic Process	31	(5)
Strategic Model	36	(7)
Behavioral Marital Model	43	(9)
Transgenerational Model	52	(12)
Solution-Focused Marital Therapy Model	64	(5)
Conclusion	69	(1)
Key Points	69	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	70	(1)
References	70	(3)
II ASSESSMENT, CONCEPTS, AND SKILLS	73	(52)
Processing the Referral and Structuring the Initial Interview	75	(16)
Chapter Objectives	75	(1)
Introduction	75	(1)
Couple Information	76	(2)
Statement of the Problem	78	(1)
Prior Interventions	78	(1)
Other Pertinent Information	79	(1)
Setting Up Appointments	79	(2)
Setting the Stage for Therapy	81	(1)
Conducting the Initial Interview	81	(1)
Joining	82	(1)
Identifying What Is ``Right'' in the Relationship	83	(2)
Beginning Therapy	85	(1)
Developing an Operational Definition of ``The Problem''	86	(1)
Assessing Who Owns the Problem	86	(2)
Conclusion	88	(1)
Key Points	89	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	89	(1)
References	90	(1)
Assessing the Problem for Treatment Planning	91	(20)
Chapter Objectives	91	(1)
Introduction	92	(1)
Assessing Relationship History	92	(2)
Assessing Interactions Through the Interview	94	(1)
Objective Assessment of Marital Interaction	94	(6)
Enacting the Interactional Patterns	100	(1)
Assessing Support Systems	101	(1)
Assessing for Comorbidity	101	(2)
Deciding on Couple Therapy Versus Individual Therapy	103	(2)
Creating an Atmosphere for Change	105	(1)
Establishing Goals	106	(1)
Obtaining the Couple's Commitment	107	(1)
Formulating the Contract	107	(1)
Conclusion	108	(1)
Key Points	109	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	109	(2)
References	111	(1)
Developing Treatment Recommendations	111	(14)
Chapter Objectives	111	(1)
Introduction	111	(1)
Constructing Goals	112	(1)
Starting Treatment	113	(1)
Operationalizing Goals	114	(2)
Utilizing Partner Strengths in Developing Goals	116	(4)
Overcoming Reluctance to Attend Therapy	120	(1)
Choosing the Best Intervention	121	(2)
Conclusion	123	(1)
Key Points	123	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	124	(1)
References	124	(1)
III TREATMENT CONCEPTS AND SKILLS	125	(76)
Developing Rules for Negotiating Conflict	127	(17)
Chapter Objectives	127	(1)
Introduction	127	(1)
Common Conflicted Interactions	128	(1)
Gender Differences	129	(1)
Marital Conflict Styles	130	(2)
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	132	(2)
Conflict That Turns to Violence	134	(3)
Managing Conflict	137	(4)
Conclusion	141	(1)
Key Points	142	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	142	(1)
References	143	(1)
Enhancing Communication and Problem-Solving	144	(16)
Chapter Objectives	144	(1)
Introduction	144	(1)
Cultural Issues	145	(1)
Gender Issues	146	(2)
Coaching Communication	148	(4)
Rules for Effective Communication	152	(3)
Obstacles to Effective Communication	155	(1)
Conclusion	156	(1)
Key Points	157	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	157	(1)
References	158	(2)
Building Trust and Intimacy	160	(13)
Chapter Objectives	160	(1)
Introduction	160	(1)
Trust	160	(1)
Building Trust	161	(2)
Intimacy	163	(2)
Enhancing Intimacy	165	(4)
Barriers to Intimacy	169	(2)
Conclusion	171	(1)
Key Points	171	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	172	(1)
References	172	(1)
Handling Unresolvable Problems	173	(13)
Chapter Objectives	173	(1)
Introduction	173	(1)
Unchangeable Problems	174	(2)
Acceptance	176	(1)
Promoting Acceptance	176	(8)
Conclusion	184	(1)
Key Points	184	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	185	(1)
References	185	(1)
Building Support for Marriage	186	(15)
Chapter Objectives	186	(1)
Introduction	186	(1)
Need for Support	187	(1)
Sources of Support	188	(2)
Assessing Areas of Interest	190	(1)
Developing Rituals	190	(2)
Developing Shared Beliefs	192	(1)
Strategies for Identifying Sources of Support	192	(2)
Specifying Obstacles to Getting Support	194	(2)
Conclusion	196	(1)
Key Points	196	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	197	(1)
References	198	(3)
IV EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OUTCOME	201	(20)
Evaluating for Termination and Follow-Up	203	(18)
Chapter Objectives	203	(1)
Introduction	203	(1)
Evaluative Data in Marital Therapy	204	(1)
Evaluating Progress in Therapy	204	(11)
Deciding When to Terminate Therapy if Goals Have not Been Achieved	215	(1)
Deciding whether to See Partners Individually	216	(1)
Conclusion	217	(1)
Key Points	217	(1)
Marital Skills Inventory	218	(1)
References	219	(2)
V TECHNIQUES IN PRACTICE	221	(53)
Case Studies of Special Populations	223	(51)
Chapter Objectives	223	(1)
Introduction	223	(1)
Marital Infidelity---The Case of Al and Wanda	224	(10)
Divorce---The Case of Elana and Mike	234	(6)
Remarriage---The Case of Janet and Steve	240	(6)
Lesbian and Gay Couples---The Case of Lauren and Lucy	246	(6)
Addiction---The Case of Roger and Mindy	252	(4)
Chronic Illness---The Case of Judy and Ted	256	(9)
Dual Carrer Couples---The Case of Larry and Susan	265	(6)
Conclusion	271	(1)
Key Points	272	(1)
References	272	(2)
Appendix A Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Counseling Association	274	(23)
Appendix B Code of Ethics of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy	297	(7)
Index	304