Using a network theory of emotion, the role of the evocation of emotion in emotionally focused marital therapy to create intimacy and facilitate conflict resolution is discussed. Accessing underlying primary emotional responses in partners makes available adaptive action tendencies which promote problem solving and helps change self- and…

Describes the therapy, assessment, and education principles of Functional Family Therapy and applies them to the treatment of inhibited sexual desire, using a case illustration. Functional Family Therapy works at motivating the couple to want change, rather than providing an understanding of underlying causes of the problem. (JAC)

Presents suggestions for assembling a musical tape made up of 20 popular songs that reflect the characteristics of five potential stages in a marital relationship. Illustrates how therapists use the tape in marital therapy and discusses how educators can instruct students to use the tape in their practice. (LLL)

Identified 16 significantly different marital communication practices which distinguished 23 happily married individuals from those undergoing counseling (N=23). Results revealed that happy individuals had significantly more congruency between their self-perceptions and their spouse's perceptions of their communication practices and more congruent…

Reviews the differences between family therapy and marriage counseling in terms of professional organization, theory, and practice. Suggests that training in marriage therapy does not appear adequate for family therapy. The goal of the therapy field should be more consensus in theory and a single profession of therapists. (JAC)

Professor Kelley offers a number of suggestions and raises many questions for those who would provide useful data for the teacher, counselor, or other person serving marriage and the family through community agencies. (Editor)

Results indicated that instead of being associated with increased patient-therapist attitudinal similarity, improvement in marital therapy was associated with attitudinal convergence between the two partners in the therapist's attitudes during treatment, regardless of whether they improved or not. (Author)

The case study analyzes the family situation in which parents of an institutionalized severely brain damaged son cannot agree over the child's return for the summer. The two daughters and the parents were helped to discuss the situation and improve their communication. (CL)

Defensive projection is discussed as a mechanism important in understanding interpersonal relations. Projections are seen as an important source of both misperception of spouse and reduced self-awareness, leading to resentment and a rigid marital system. In conjoint marriage counseling, the counselor may intervene to correct perceptual distortion.…

Describes a brief, eclectic, research-based program to enhance couples' relationships. Results indicate that couples receiving enrichment counseling (n=26) had higher relationship satisfaction and quality-of-couple skills at posttest and at the three-week follow-up than did written-assessment-only (control) couples (n=25). Concludes that the…

Relate, a British relationship counseling service, relies on volunteer counselors. They receive extensive initial training and continuous assessment, passing through stages from incompetence to the point at which competence becomes unconscious. (SK)

To better serve the growing number of Spanish-speaking couples and families in the U.S., it is useful to have a battery of instruments to assess the nature of their marital distress. This article presents the standard assessment battery that Brigham Young University uses to evaluate marital distress. (Contains 11 references and 1 table.) (GCP)

This article introduces the reader to several of the major issues in treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, as well as clinical and ethical considerations facing marriage and family therapists today. (Contains 20 references.) (GCP)

Learning to identify, label, and share feelings is an important ingredient of healthy personal, social, and family functioning. Presents the Feeling Word Game, a creative context for these tasks that can be used in a variety of therapeutic ways with individuals, couples, groups, and families. (Contains 21 references.) (GCP)

Reviews the current practice of using the Internet to provide marriage and family counseling services. Discusses how the Internet has developed into a medium that can be used for the provision of marriage and family counseling services. Ethical guidelines developed by other associations have direct implication in how marriage and family therapists…