Despite infidelity being a highly traumatic experience, not all couples end their relationship after discovery of the affair. The present study provides insights into the experience of couples who remained together after having experienced infidelity by one partner. Narrative inquiry methods were used to undertake and analyze in-depth interviews…

Extensive interest in the authoritarian personality syndrome was piqued by the experience of World War II Nazi domination, and a proliferation of scientific inquiry ensued thereafter. Following an introduction providing a psychoanalytic perspective, this paper attempts to integrate the findings of original thinkers in this area with relevant…

Describes and evaluates five comprehensive premarital assessment questionnaires that can be used in high school, university, and church settings by family life educators and premarital counselors. Major premarital assessments reviewed vary in coverage of premarital factors, number of items, and cost. These factors must be considered by counselors…

"Marriage" is treated as a mental concept that evolves in a developmental sequence of four qualitatively distinct stages: Magical, Idealized Conventional, Individualistic, and Affirmational. Each stage is illustrated with excerpts from Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage. Some applications for marriage counselors are suggested. (Author)

The author focuses on the needs that married couples try to satisfy at the level of nonconsciousness and which, as a rule, produce problems at the cognitive and behavioral levels. Suggestions for the marital therapist are included. (Author)

The authors present a technique they have found useful with clients seeking sex therapy. (HMV)

The complex issues in the relationship between cotherapists who are doing sex therapy have not received adequate attention. Differences in status, experience, and training; aspects of the personal relationship between therapists; and the sexual content of their work are typical issues that arise and can affect the outcome of treatment. (Author/NG)

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an approach for working with couples that focuses on the negative interaction cycles perpetuated by deep-seated emotional vulnerabilities. This therapy attempts to alleviate distress by intervening on an emotional level in order to promote more caring interactions that can enhance relationships. Proponents…

Counselors may expect an increasing number of marriages to include open intimate involvement with others either as an adjunct to the marriage or as an integral part of it. Key problem areas are noted and application to counseling situations is made. (Author)

While it is commonly assumed that marital therapists define their tasks as preserving marriages, most traditionally trained marriage therapists espouse a more neutral role: that is, facilitating a constructive resolution to the marital problem, whether or not that resolution ends up entailing divorce. Despite this professed ideal of neutrality, it…

For mysterious reasons only a small proportion of couples with relationship problems seek counseling. This qualitative study included 36 women and 16 men in structured small group discussions. Questions concerned attitudes to relationship counseling. Both groups expressed denial of the problems in the relationship, the seriousness of these…

Describes a cognitive-behavioral model for treating couples' negative reactions to infertility. After a discussion of why the cognitive-behavioral approach can competently address the goals of couples coping with infertility, three phases of treatment are outlined: assessment, therapy, and closure. Areas for assessment include spouses, marital…

As the marriage enrichment movement develops, nationally and internationally, the question of standards governing the services provided by leader couples becomes of critical importance. This paper examines the main programs now being offered. (Author)

This paper points out a potential intersect between marriage counseling and developmental psychology. In so doing, it raises some questions about the possible widespread adoption of open marriage and its subsequent problems for marriage counseling. (Author)

Involved a 10-year review of the major marriage and family therapy related journals for articles involving racial and ethnic minorities. Despite an awareness of the importance of such scholarship, fewer than 5% of published articles focused on racial and ethnic minority populations and issues. Provides a benchmark against which future publication…