The techniques of initiating and terminating therapeutic encounters have been disproportionately represented in the literature of strategic therapy. Using the patient's own report, the middle phase of therapy for severe marital difficulty is illustrated. Central to the final outcome was a paradoxical instruction. (Author)

The Marital Status Inventory (MSI) differentiates effectively between couples seeking marital counseling and couples seeking help with parent-child problems. For all cases, MSI scores were found to relate significantly to husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction in the areas of companionship and sex. (Author)

To demonstrate the utility of Rational Emotive Therapy in pre-marital counseling, examples of specific irrational beliefs which clinicians can use to help couples are presented. Mental health practitioners are encouraged to apply these principles to other specific irrationalities they may discover in their own work experience. (Author)

Reviews the use of family therapy in dealing with illnesses such as childhood diabetes, asthma, pain, and anorexia nervosa. Marital and family therapy may be effective in treating some psychosomatic problems. Family assessment is helpful in the management of all psychosomatic problems. (Author/JAC)

Recent developments and problems in the field of premarital counseling are discussed. Premarital counseling is taken more seriously by religious organizations requiring more counseling sessions. Attention is given to the need for better premarital counselors and for more systematic evaluation of the impact of premarital counseling strategies.…

Investigated the generally neglected effects of the cotrainer relationship in studies of the outcome of couples communication training. Male-female cotrainer pairs modeled verbal dominance patterns similar or dissimilar to those of client couples. Changes in couples' speaking patterns after a two-hour workshop mirrored their trainers' models.…

The author present a five-stage intervention model to be used in counseling with couples. The model stages include structuring, observation and assessment, interruption of the system, deviation and amplification, and responding to individuation. (Author/HLM)

The Allred Interaction Analysis for Counselors (AIAC) is an instrument for systematically analyzing counselors' and clients' verbal behaviors. It was constructed to provide marriage and family counselors-in-training a method for acquiring meaningful, objective feedback on counseling behaviors. Interrater reliability coefficients have been high.…

Vaginismus includes both physical as well as psychological aspects that make vaginal penetration extremely painful if not altogether impossible. Aside from history, diagnosis rests on the physical examination. The most important considerations in therapy seem to be the patient's understanding of the problem and flexibility of approach. (Author)

Presents analyses of data from the National Comorbidity Survey to assess the extent to which problems within marriage spill over to produce work loss. Results indicate that marital distress is positively associated with work loss. Suggests family interventions targeted at prevention of marital problems may result in important psychosocial and…

Aspects of intimacy and satisfaction were explored for a volunteer sample of 54 Mexican American and 30 Anglo-American married couples. Data were collected by questionnaire through network sampling. Partner similarity was evident in all three groups, and marital satisfaction was best predicted for all groups by passionate love scores. (FC)

Uses quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate the impact of the bonding and catharsis segment of a measure of intimate relationship skills. Results suggest that the segment can lead to significant improvements in marital adjustment, cohesion, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. Explores differences in changes for males and females.…

Reviews a number of inventories designed to measure dimensions of family systems theory and then provides a discussion of family systems assessment. Includes discussions of two couple's inventories, eight nuclear family inventories, and two family of origin inventories. Concludes that counselor educators must have understanding of marriage and…

Compared responses of 132 training directors and 79 clinical members of American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy regarding current specified standards for accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy training programs. Results about preferred criteria for accreditation, training requirements, and attitudes toward major professional…

Examined effects of therapist marital status and therapist and participant sex on participants' perceptions of therapist and expectations for therapy. Each partner of 20 couples presenting for marital therapy completed protocols differing only on therapist's marital status and sex. Neither therapist marital status nor therapist sex had effect on…