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…

How does the spouse of a person with depression take part in constructing narratives of depression in couple therapy? In this study we examined couples' ways of co-constructing narratives of depression in couple therapy. Three couple therapy processes were chosen for the study, one spouse in each couple having been referred to an outpatient clinic…

Describes therapy process in which couples are "separated" from reciprocal patterns which have become restraining and are currently affecting the relationship. Discusses role of therapist in helping couples break these patterns and separate from influence of discourse which they determine to be not suitable to their own preferred descriptions.…

Reexamines the Mental Research Institute associates' intervention of reframing in marital therapy. Describes use of Ericksonian strategies of ratification and utilization, with emphasis on nonverbal language, conjoint reframing, unconscious wisdom, and recursive therapy. Presents ratification and utilization interventions. (Author/ABL)

Two examples of a letter (linear and paradoxical) used to engage nonattending spouses for marital therapy are featured as well as recommendations for research. Engagement rates, using the linear and paradoxical letters are compared. (Author/BL)

Suggests not an exclusive focus on emotion in couples therapy, but rather, the inclusion of emotion into an integrative approach which involves affect, cognition, and behavior in a systemic framework. Affect has too long been neglected both as an agent of therapeutic change and as a direct target of change. (Author/ABL)

Examines literature on marital therapy and spouse involvement as treatments for major psychopathology, focusing on depression, agoraphobia, and alcoholism. For each disorder, examines relation between marital dynamics and disorder and discusses empirical efforts to evaluate impact of marital therapy or spouse involvement on disorder. Summarizes…

Evaluated couples (N=27) randomly assigned to conjoint or concurrent therapy to compare treatment effectiveness with regard to intrapersonal and interpersonal problems. Results showed no differences between the two treatments on any of the outcome measures. (LLL)

Describes the therapy, assessment, and education principles of Functional Family Therapy and applies them to the treatment of inhibited sexual desire, using a case illustration. Functional Family Therapy works at motivating the couple to want change, rather than providing an understanding of underlying causes of the problem. (JAC)

Presents suggestions for assembling a musical tape made up of 20 popular songs that reflect the characteristics of five potential stages in a marital relationship. Illustrates how therapists use the tape in marital therapy and discusses how educators can instruct students to use the tape in their practice. (LLL)

Investigated Caring Days procedure for marital therapy to determine its potential for positive change with nondistressed married couples. Randomly assigned 32 married couples to either experimental group employing Caring Days technique or to attention control group. Experimental group showed significant positive changes compared to control group…

Presents basic information concerning normal aging that therapists need to understand sources of conflict and distress in older or caregiving couples. Describes unique aspects of assessment and intervention with older couples. Examines marital satisfaction across life span, including factors that alter marital functioning, developmental tasks and…

Couples therapy interventions can be used with alcohol abusers and alcoholics during three broadly defined states of recovery: (1) initial commitment to change; (2) change itself; and (3) long-term maintenance of change. Intervening with the alcoholic's spouse (and/or other nonalcoholic family members) can motivate and reinforce commitment to…

This presentation by a practicing marital therapist describes how exercise behavior can be used as a preventive measure against spouse abuse. This crisis intervention approach is intended to help couples develop stopgap techniques to prevent physical violence; it is one segment of a more comprehensive approach which might include contingency…

Alcohol abuse imposes financial, social, and emotional burdens on drinkers and their families. Couples suffering from alcohol-related problems who seek therapy often have expectations of retribution, restitution, and refuge. Although thoughts of retribution are difficult to elicit in therapy, non-drinking spouses often expect to inflict pain on…