This synopsis of the outcome literature on marital and family treatment (MFT) drew three conclusions. First, intervening at the marital/family level with nonalcoholic family members can motivate an initial commitment to change in the alcoholic who is unwilling to seek help. Second, MFT alone, or with individual alcoholism treatment, produces…

The use of the EPPS in pre-marital and marital therapy is described. Six pairs of related needs are established, i.e., deference and dominance; order and change; exhibition and intraception; autonomy and affiliation; succorance and nurturance; abasement and aggression. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the usefulness of the EPPS.…

This document presents an annotated bibliography of the literature pertaining to family and marital counseling from 1950 through 1985. It was developed to consolidate some of the well known names of family and marital clinicians into a ready reference form and to have a selected bibliography of authoritative writing in pastoral and in…

Article discusses the feasibility of marriage counseling as an insurance benefit in the future. It is suggested that the physician be used as a marriage counselor in that insurance companies will pay for medical services. (EK)

Techniques of structured communication training, integrating Guerney's conjugal therapy model and Carkhuff's systematic facilitative training, are described in detail. This method offers a concise and effective technology for enhancing communication skills in couples who are experiencing marital conflicts. (Author)

For a study of marital togetherness and apartness, the partners in 136 couples completed questionnaires. The role of disrespect, a factor serving as an abrasive in marriage, was investigated. Findings suggest that therapy for couples with a presenting problem of insufficient contact may first have to deal with abrasive factors. (Author)

Demonstrated that behavioral marital therapy (BMT) and insight-oriented marital therapy (IOMT) could be rendered in a distinct and uncontaminated fashion in manual-guided outcome research where therapists were crossed with treatment condition. BMT proved to be highly structured, with 93 percent of therapist interventions reflecting behavioral…

Discusses implications of dramatic increase in number of elderly for the marital and family therapist. Claims therapist will be dealing with the complex problems of a population who traditionally have underutilized services and have been viewed with negative bias. Features method of "exaggerated engagement" and gives brief attention to general…

Describes the assumptions, processes, and techniques used in Alderian marriage therapy. Describes purpose of therapy as assessing current beliefs and behaviors while educating the couple in new procedures that can help the couple establish new goals. (Author/ABL)

Describes a study to determine if the Areas of Change Questionnaire (AC) items represent commonly occurring problems seen by marital therapists and identified by Geiss and O'Leary (1981). Results suggest that AC Questionnaire, containing 13 of Geiss and O'Leary's 29 marital problem categories, is limited in the range of clinical marital problems…

Presents a systematic approach to enriching marital relationships. The history and current status of marital enrichment is reviewed. An Adlerian approach to marital enrichment is described. Applications of the program in enrichment groups, marriage therapy and couple groups are included. (Author)

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)

Reports an attempt to validate a self-help behavioral marital bibliotherapy program. Evaluated five clinical distressed couples via a multiple baseline analysis. Treatment involved reading and exercises covering communications, problem solving, and sexual dysfunction. Results were highly variable and reflected minimal change. (BH)

Behavior therapy approaches to the treatment of male sexual impotence, specifically premature ejaculation and erective impotence, are discussed. Included in the behavioral therapies are systematic desensitization, active graded therapy, assertive techniques, sexual responses, operant approaches and others. Often marriage counseling is also…