The authors investigated the relationship between religious and spiritual values and moral commitment in marriage to further inform marriage and family counselors about the nature of committed relationships. Using a qualitative research design, they examined individuals' perceptions of moral commitment in their marriage and how their religious and…

Presents Ethics Model of Marriage and Family Counseling and its underlying assumptions. Analyzes six basic counseling values in relation to microsystems of counselor and client, mesosystem of counseling process, and societal value context as the macrosystem. Utilizes discussion of suicide to apply these values to the model. Includes 17 references.…

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)

Examines the use of the small group modality for providing helping services in religious settings and the use of religious-spiritual content in small helping groups. Includes a review and critique of various types of services, including group therapy, marital treatment, marriage enrichment, growth groups, and assertion training. (Author/ABB)

Explores developmental and psychological assumptions about women that are fundamental to current marriage and family therapy practice. Ethical guidelines for reducing bias in therapy, especially with couples and families, are offered to counselors and therapists for evaluation and refinement of professional gender role sensitivity. (Author)

Replicates Bergin's (1985) research involving religious values and beliefs and their relationship to counseling. Differences were found in each of 10 belief areas on 10 values areas between the total sample in both studies. Within-group differences revealed greater similarities among professional counselors, social workers, and marriage/family…

Explores importance of rituals to a culture and more particularly the formation, development, and evolution of rituals in couples. Also explores ways in which values of the couple and counselor affect the development of new rituals and the reevaluation of existing rituals as a grounding mechanism for change. (Author/NB)

Religion and spirituality are important aspects of multicultural competency for therapists to consider given the religious culture in America. Researchers have found that more than 90% of Americans claim either a Protestant or Catholic religious affiliation (Keller, 2000), 40% of Americans attend religious services on a weekly basis, and more than…

Is spiritual diversity a neglected dimension in preparation for multicultural competency? The authors present an interdisciplinary overview of research related to multicultural training in spirituality and religion to address this issue. Findings indicate that counseling program leaders have minimal preparation in spiritual and religious diversity…

Presents the Marriage and Family Awareness Program, a three-stage model for Christian counseling, consisting of a James Dobson film, parent groups, and follow-up counseling. The program was offered to over 100 persons in Texas churches. Feedback from participants was positive. Elements of each session are described. (JAC)

Describes approach to marriage counseling based on cognitive behavioral therapy and structural and strategic marital therapies aimed at Christian couples. Uses shared Christian values between counselor and clients to promote increased marital commitment, marital satisfaction, and personal spiritual growth. Maintains marital satisfaction might be…