A heuristic model is presented for the diagnosis and treatment of families in stress. A systems approach and psychoanalytic concepts are integrated to understand and modify dysfunctional behavior transmitted across generations. (Author)

The growth and self understanding of the therapist as a person are considered by most training centers to be a significant part of the training process. This article reports on a pilot project which provided contractual marital and family therapy for trainees in a two-year program. (Author)

Calls for more attention to marriage in both educational and psychotherapeutic approaches to the family and marriage fields. Object relations theory is seen as having much to offer. Balance among various elements in studying and working with marriage is seen as desirable. (Author)

This paper reviews literature on cotherapy with special reference to therapeutic outcome. The review covers sex therapy, group therapy, and family and marital therapy. It considers both patient and cotherapist variables. The most widely addressed effect of cotherapy upon patients is presented in terms of treatment process and not treatment…

The interaction processes of 25 couples receiving marriage counseling were compared with a control group of 25 couples not receiving counseling. The study was a partial test of a circumplex model of marital and family systems. The major variable was adaptability. Creativity and support were also examined. (Author)

This research examined use of reciporcity procedures with married couples in a group format. Couples (N=7), enrolled in a non-credit extension course, participated in an eight-week workshop. Commitment to and optimism about marriage and ratings on three of nine areas of couple interaction significantly increased over the eight-week period. (Author)

Developed a questionnaire to survey all predoctoral internships listed in the 1983-84 Internship Programs in Professional Psychology (IPPP) and 18 additional sites offering marriage and family therapy training. A listing of the few psychology internships offering significant levels of training in marriage and family therapy was developed.…

Compared relative effectiveness of two interventions in treatment of marital discord: a cognitive-behavioral intervention (teaching problem-solving skills) and an experiential intervention (focusing on emotional experiences). The effects of emotionally focused treatment were found to be superior to problem-solving treatment on marital adjustment,…

Discusses the dual-career couple in terms of common sources of family strains and gains resulting from career and domestic responsibilities. Presents case examples illustrating different forms of accomodation and possible subsequent problems. Strategies for stress reduction are presented and therapeutic guidelines offered. (JAC)

This is a critical look at the field of marriage and family counseling, particularly the paucity of empirical research related to therapeutic outcomes. It is contended that many clinical theories are promoted on the basis of merchandising principles. However, some encouraging developments are cited, and recommendations are made. (Author/NG)

Couples counseling is about both saving and optimally ending relationships. Some of the factors affecting the counselor's role in couples therapy are addressed in this paper. It opens with a listing of the objectives of counseling, such as the need to remain neutral. Some of the societal influences on divorce rate are discussed, along with…

The counselor deepens his therapeutic work by analyzing what happens during the counseling session. Subtle details in the office interactions are used to refer to personality traits and behavioral patterns manifesting themselves in the client's daily life. The counselor must also be sensitive to his own feelings and reactions and employ these as…

Experimentation with short contact marriage counseling and some of the results are described. The author is convinced that the new approaches are more effective than those they replaced. (Editor)

Addresses clinical and methodological issues in conducting the Marital Systems Study, a research project evaluating the efficacy of systems-oriented conjoint treatment with couples in which one spouse is abusing alcohol. These include standardizing and monitoring the intervention and developing an interactional perspective on the alcohol-related…

Uses clinical data and research findings to consider the clinical understanding and therapeutic interventions most appropriate for dual career couples' marital and individual difficulties. Briefly describes characteristics of the dual-career lifestyle and personalities, and provides case examples illustrating external and internal sources of…