Clarifies concepts of linearity and circularity as applied to marital and family therapy. Defines distinct and theoretically legitimate meanings of linearity (proportionality, unilaterality, temporality). Redefines circularity into two distinct meanings (recursivity and holicity). Concludes with call for continued deconstruction of social systems…

Describes current trends in training marriage and family counselors. Raises training issues related to individual counseling, working with systems beyond families, focusing on concrete outcomes, and programs giving adequate attention to the therapist as an individual. Discusses COAMFTE and CACREP accreditation standards. (CRR)

Describes marriage and family counselor training model utilizing family-of-origin work for personal growth. Reviews theoretical base, application to training, parallel process, and isomorphic process. Suggests that counseling and supervision are intense interpersonal experiences which are likely to reactivate learned patterns of behavior and…

Uses six types of family-of-origin frames (coping, modeling, role, definition, reversal, and loyalty frames) in understanding three common couple interactional situations: pursuing/distancing, overfunctioning/underfunctioning, and blaming/placating. Uses clinical examples to illustrate process of constructing family-of-origin frames in couples…

Presents overview of select components most often found within family training programs: the study of systems theory, examination of family of origin, use of live supervision, and emphasis on ethical issues specific to working with couples and families. Discusses variety of challenges facing training programs, including constructivism, feminist…

Interview with Michael F. Hoyt, a noted figure in the worlds of brief therapy and managed care. He discusses issues regarding brief therapy, some of the promises and problems of managed care, and several likely future trends and their implications for marital and family therapists. (MKA)

Addresses issues of supervision for counselors in training who are moving from individual practice to systemic family sessions. Transition issues are identified and addressed. Recommendations for training in such areas as cotherapy, team approach, and basic skills applications in systemic models are offered. (Author/MKA)

Describes the process of how counseling theory is constructed in the classroom, deconstructed in the workplace, and then reconstructed to meet the unique needs of individual counselors. Marital and family counselor educators and students can both benefit from knowledge about this process. (Author/MKA)

Replicating a study done 15 years ago, a survey was mailed to psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and marriage and family counselors who were listed in the San Antonio Yellow Pages to get information about their perceptions of unethical practice. Results show a shift in perceived unethical practice over the 15-year time frame. (Author)

Investigates client perceptions of helpful and unhelpful aspects of couples therapy. Results show that couple participants associated helpful therapy experiences with being given choices regarding ideas and ways of working that fit for them; working with a therapist they trusted; and developing new ideas about the couple relationship. (Author/MKA)

Research in the field of marriage and family therapy requires many ethical considerations due to the complexity of relationships among family members and the sensitive information involved. The AAMFT Code of Ethics and ethical standards for research attempt to address these concerns. The guidelines cover issues such as risk management, informed…

Studies of the impact of short vs. long time delays between initial referral and first appointment for relationship counseling of 60 clients. Results indicate that clients offered appointments within two weeks of referral were significantly more likely to attend for first appointment than were clients whose appointment came between 4 and 12 weeks…

Considering the popularity of marriage enrichment programs, it is important for clinicians and marriage educators to know which programs have received empirical support. Using criteria established for determining empirically supported treatments (ESTs), we provide a comprehensive review of the outcome research on 13 specific marital enrichment…

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of women's attachment injuries within heterosexual couple relationships. An interpretative, phenomenological approach (van Manen, 1990) was used in this exploratory study. Four women participated in three separate research interviews in order to illuminate the phenomenon of "attachment…

Graduate programs in marriage and family counseling must adhere to ethical codes and standards for training students. A question arises concerning the amount of specialized training that should be included within the larger counselor education discipline. This article addresses the standards for training and competence as set forth by the Council…