Presents a case example of contextual marital therapy in the treatment of a couple who presented for therapy because of an extramarital affair. The focus of this case centers on how the idea of forgiveness might be utilized to facilitate reconciliation in conflicted relationships. (GCP)

An integration of Adlerian and social constructionist ideas, the reflecting "as if" technique asks clients to take a reflective step backward to consider perceptual and behavioral alternatives as a prelude to their acting as if they were the couple they desire to be. This article describes the reflecting as if technique and provides a…

Compared couples receiving 2 marital therapy approaches and control group over 10-week treatment period. Integrated systemic therapy (IST) and emotionally focused approach (EFT) both were found to be superior to control and to be equally effective in alleviating marital distress, facilitating conflict resolution and goal attainment, and reducing…

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.…

Addresses advantages of, and potential pitfalls in, integrated approaches to marital counseling. Presents a sequential approach in which various approaches to marital counseling are integrated without jeopardizing internal consistency and uniformity in treatment. Offers precounseling considerations and procedures for a five-session series.…

Marital satisfaction is the strongest predictor for happiness in many areas of life (Russel & Wells, 1994). A satisfying marriage is associated with better general adjustment and fewer health problems (Bray & Jouriles, 1995). Factors that contribute to marital satisfaction reported by researchers include religion and spirituality (Anthony,…

Proposes use of dreamwork to evoke historical patterns or transgenerational themes. Describes new variant of dreamwork which combines aspects of both gestalt and family systems therapies. Implications of therapeutic dramatization for couple therapy are suggested. Examples are included. (Author/NB)

Discusses issues related to transference and resistance in counselor-client relationships as well as in family relationships. Strategies for coping with these reactions are presented. Suggests that therapists can change the impact of past experiences by changing present behavior and ways of construing one's experience. (JAC)

Transtheoretical metaphors of purpose, process, and product can be helpful for counselors to organize and focus therapy and for clients to conceptualize current marital patterns and create alternative relational habits. The case study of Kevin and Stacey is used to illustrate these constructs. (Contains 11 references.) (Author)

Investigates whether marital therapy can be conducted on the Internet using email. It was hypothesized that in the absence of "conversation of gestures," the email in itself may serve as a therapeutic tool for increasing differentiation of thoughts from emotions among highly reactive couples. With the help of eleven couples, results…

Describes computer-based interpretive system for Marital Satisfaction Inventory (MSI) and application in initial phases of clinical assessment and treatment planning. Provides case study. Compares clinical findings at intake with MSI profiles for one couple obtained at termination and follow-up. Considers strengths and limitations of self-report…

Considers contributions of Farley's Type T theory of personality and motivation to family psychology. Outlines some implications of Type T for range of marital treatment issues. Notes that Type T can be used as a predictor of change in therapy and as an assessment of whether people are really going to change. (NB)

Counselors working in the areas of marriage and family counseling and therapy are expected to work effectively with couples and families experiencing a variety of issues and problems. Structural, strategic, and transgenerational family therapists may seem to be operating in similar manners, and it appears that many practicing family therapists go…

Derives an empirically based classification system of marital relationships, employing a multidimensional self-report measure of marital interaction. Spouses' profiles on the Marital Satisfaction Inventory for samples of clinic and nonclinic couples were subjected to cluster analysis, resulting in separate five-group typologies for husbands and…

Defines inhibited sexual desire (ISD) as a relational phenomenon best treated in the marital context. Discusses ISD as it relates to the central marital issues of power, intimacy, and boundaries. (JAC)