Frequently the motive for divorce is neurotic. This paper calls attention to one such motive: reaction to disappointment by a significant parent-in-law, which may go unnoticed by both the therapist and the patient who has come for help at the time when the marriage is disintegrating. (Author)

Fathers' reactions to their wives' pregnancies and especially to the actual deliveries are discussed and three case histories are given to illustrate the gradual build up of tension as the father anticipates delivery which often culminates in crises at the time of delivery. Implications for counselor and educators are given. (Author)

Describes the Marriage Contract Game, designed to help couples negotiate relationship and task problems in an explicit, rational manner. Discusses the game's conceptual ties to modes of behavioral family intervention and to the social psychology of bargaining. Concludes with an example of the game's application to a distressed couple. (Author/JAC)

Discusses the borderline/schizoid marital constellation as the prominent constellation among borderline patients on a long-term inpatient unit. Contends that treatment of this marital constellation requires application of the concept of the holding environment as an essential treatment construct with the therapist as manager of the holding…

Two doctoral-level marriage and family therapy students summarize their professional and personal experiences in their internships within a multidisciplinary healthcare setting. In addition, their supervisor reports on her experiences working with marriage and family therapy doctoral interns. (Author/MKA)

Although psychotherapy traditionally has been thought of as talking therapy, written communication can be used as an effective supplement, across a range of theoretical approaches and therapeutic stages. Writing can aid clients in deepening awareness and enable them to use their inherent resources for becoming whole persons. For example, one…

The counselor, in working with troubled families, must help couples realize that they may be dealing with each other as narcissistic projections or as people from the past. (Author)

Two couples and one family who failed to show any progress during the course of structured enrichment programs were evaluated. It was concluded that the parents' or marital partners' inability to look at themselves critically was one reason for the failure. Discusses possible future research. (Author)

Reports a case of multiple personality in which therapy was directed at the marital couple, rather than focusing on the multiple personality. The functions of the symptom in the areas of impulse discharge, superego operation, boundaries of closeness-distance, and self-object representations for the couple and family are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Describes the clinical use of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI), a multidimensional self-report measure of marital interaction. Two case studies of couples in marital therapy are presented. The MSI is presented as a cost-efficient procedure, permitting objective assessment across multiple areas of a couple's relationship. (Author/JAC)

Presents a process-based method for using dreams in marital and family therapy. Identifies and emphasizes personality and life area strengths. A case study illustrates the application of this approach. Presented at Portland Multiregional Conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, April 15, 1978. (Author/JC)

Hierarchical incongruities in a marriage can occur when a spouse develops a symptom in an attempt to balance the division of power in the couple. The therapist must organize the couple so that the division of power is balanced, and the couple is organized in a congruous hierarchy. (Author)

Describes a small-group discussion approach to premarital sexual education/counseling which has been found useful with engaged couples. This approach employs a set of "case situations" as focal point for group discussion. (HMV)

Responses showed that reconciliation does not necessarily indicate a more satisfying relationship. Husbands and wives were interviewed by a team, separately but at the same time. The number and variety of differences in responses given by husbands compared to wives suggested a serious bias in studies which have included only wives or exwives as…

Discusses the importance of assessing the impact infertility has on couples/individuals and understanding the relevance of this impact in the context of psychological treatment. Infertility's negative impact can be minimized by therapeutic intervention. Three psychological-behavioral categories for couples are posited, with case studies. (Author)