This article introduces marriage and family therapists (MFT) to some of the common issues faced by families that have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). First, autism is defined and common myths surrounding it are discussed. Next, relational challenges are presented that families report experiencing during early childhood through the…

This article describes the results from a large, cross-sectional survey of social workers, psychologists, and licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) in Texas (N = 865) regarding their orientation toward and implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP). All social workers were recruited by e-mail using the state NASW Listserv (analysis…

Unlike perceptions toward professional counseling, public opinions do not typically associate marriage and family counseling or therapy with treatments of mental disorders. The current survey of college students in this sample confirmed that most would not recommend, specifically, marriage and family therapists (MFTs) for mental health…

Incongruency in role expectations produces strain in the marriage. By studying 104 couples divided into experimental and control groups, it was found that there was no more role expectation incongruency in the couples seeking marriage counseling than in those not seeking counseling. It might be that the major differences lies in how couples of…

Explores multiple understandings of empathy: as affective resonance, as cognitive understanding and perspective taking, as action and cognizance, and as imagination. Offers definitions of, and obstacles to, empathy. Focuses on systemic empathy, gender empathy, and ethnic empathy. Discusses perspective taking in marriage and describes techniques…

A simple test is described that has proven highly effective when used by married couples. It can be self-administered. Couples who use it can learn a great deal about their relationship and do so in terms of positive insights which they can then use to promote mutual growth. (Author)

The participants in this discussion agreed, in general, that the therapist does have the responsibility of guiding the patient towards the decisions that he believes to be most beneficial even if they imply important life decisions or are contrary to the mores of society. (Author/CG)

Nonpatient couples, couples seeking sex therapy, and couples seeking marital therapy, were asked to report on who they felt should and who actually does assume responsibility in marital role areas. Discrepancy between role ideals and behavior was examined. Marital therapy patients were found to experience the most role strain. (Author)

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)

A pre-marital assessment method is described which utilizes interviews with the young couple, with both sets of parents and group interviewing with all six key persons involved in the plans for marriage. The use of selected tests and particular methods of examining the couple's relationship are discussed. (Author)

This article contains recommendations for the integration of knowledge and competence from the fields of family law, marriage counseling, judicial administration, and eugenics. The goal is to find ways to minimize marital trauma and thereby improve the quality of family life. (Author)

The authors of Open Marriage reiterate the meaning and possibilities of the open marriage concept and advance suggestions for change in the areas of residence, work, child care, and educational patterns. Human service systems must search out the universal values to be maintained in all human relationships. (Editor)

Presents an operational definition of intimacy and reviews evidence that a lack of intimacy is associated with nonpsychotic emotional illness, marital maladjustment, and family dysfunction. Describes and illustrates a technique, cognitive self-disclosure, which facilitates marital intimacy. Discusses the role of self-disclosure, modeling, and…

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…

Describes a self-report scale measuring levels of disaffection toward one's spouse. A questionnaire containing the Marital Disaffection Scale (MDS) and other disaffection measures of marital happiness was administered to 76 spouses. Results indicated good criterion-related validity, discriminant validity, and interitem reliability. Findings…