The premarital contract is an effective tool in premarital counseling. This contract is a written or verbal agreement that makes more explicit one's attitudes and expectations about aspects that will influence the marital relationship. Topics include division of labor, employment, financial responsibility, and religious beliefs and practices.…

Marriage Encounter is a two-day marriage enrichment session sponsored by several religious organizations. This paper attempts to describe one proceeding of a weekend from a participant-observation perspective, offering objective insight and critical discussion. (Author)

Discusses the complexities of sexual avoidance, or Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSD), a previously neglected aspect of a couple's relationship. Suggests that learning from a therapist to accept and enjoy other forms of sexual exchange can open up new horizons of physical and emotional intimacy. (Contains 17 references.) (GCP)

Briefly reviews the literature on infertility and its emotional, physical, existential, and relational effects on individuals, couples, and families. Life crisis and biopsychosocial theories are discussed as they apply to persons struggling with infertility issues. In addition, stage models derived from a biopsychosocial perspective are presented.…

Couples and family counselors may aid in the remedy of sexual dysfunction when it has a cognitive or psychological basis. One important source of sexual dysfunction is cognitive distraction that results from certain forms of self-focus during sexual activity with a partner, a phenomenon sex therapists have labeled spectatoring. Introduces sensate…

Marriage and family counselors can play important roles for both the person with schizophrenia and his or her family. This article provides a resource for family counselors that includes a clinically relevant summary of the schizophrenia literature, its associated family burden, and applicable interventions and issues. (Contains 64 references.)…

For marriage and family therapists and educators who train future marriage and family therapists, families formed by means of adoption offer an abundance of learning opportunities in both the areas of assessment and intervention. The following consultation case represents a composite family designed to highlight the unique features of adoptive…

Religion and spirituality have long played important roles in the lives of couples and families within North American society. This article describes the Transformative Experience Questionnaire (TEQ), which provides an opportunity for couples to explore the role of spirituality in their own relationships. (Contains 25 references.) (GCP)

Twenty years of outcome research conducted on Relationship Enhancement (RE) couples and family therapy are reviewed. Studies testing RE with premarital and marital couples as well as special populations are included. Effect sizes are included to provide further information on the comparison of treatment to control groups. Implications for…

Provides a review of representative literature offering modifications of traditional genogram formats, procedures, and emphases. Topics include counseling techniques and interventions for couples' issues related to sexuality, intimacy, and gender roles. Families and stepfamilies are addressed in areas such as grief and loss, alcoholism, and…

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…

Defines the emergence of marital and family therapy as a distinct clinical discipline and an area of clinical practice. Describes significant historical developments that shaped the field and integrative aspects of family systems theory. Reviews role of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in professional credentialing and…

Describes study comparing views of husbands and wives toward day-to-day communication practices. Initial data analysis yielded 24 items contributing to 7 factors. Wives tended to report less communication or rate communication lower than husbands, but both husbands and wives were generally satisfied with communication in marriages. (Author/CRR)

Draws analogy between Muhammad Ali's boxing technique of "rope-a-dope" and behavioral patterns frequently occurring in couple conflicts. Presents basics of Ali's technique as similar to fighting patterns of many couples. Suggests that this behavior may lead to physical violence. Describes use of analogy in working with couples. Presents strategies…

Responds to previous articles by Avis, Kaufman, and Bograd on role of marital and family therapists in dealing with family violence among clients. Comments on presentation style of earlier articles and then discusses points of agreement and disagreement with each of the three authors. Concludes by urging therapists to learn more so they can…