An Introduction To Marital Theory And Therapy

Learn the fundamentals of family therapy and treatment! An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy presents insight and analysis from 20 of the foremost experts in the theoretical and practice areas of family therapy, offering a unique blend of approaches and styles. Chapters draw on each author's area of expertise in exploring the history of family therapy and the application of systems theory to families. Ideal as a comprehensive resource for entry-level students, the book also gives undergraduates a glimpse of graduate training and provides useful tips on how to apply to graduate school and what to expect while shopping for graduate education. An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy is divided into two parts: a theoretical section, where commonly used theories are presented with practical case examples, and a section devoted to special issues and topics, such as couples therapy, communication training, marital enrichment and premarital counseling. The book also covers substance abuse, divorce, gender and culture, family violence, sexual dysfunctions and sex therapy treatment, and the interface of ethics and the legal system. An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy also discusses: the history of family therapy systems theory and cybernetics structural and strategic family therapy cognitive-behavioral, experiential, and transgenerational therapies collaborative language-based models current research findings and much more! With its unique and comprehensive approach, An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy serves as a theoretical introduction to the field of marriage and therapy and related mental health disciplines where family treatment is emphasized. The book is essential for educators in marriage and family counseling classes and is an invaluable resource for therapists, counselors, social work professionals, pastoral educators, and family psychologists.

This book traces the conception of systemic theory and how it continues to be adapted by various theorists and therapists in the treatment of families. The philosophy of the book seeks to encourage students to consider themselves as part of the systems with which they work, and to respect their own strengths and personalities even as they encourage clients to do the same. The theme of this book points out that although each theory that it discusses has its own value for working with families, some are more or less effective for specific populations, cultures and issues.

Aims to endorse a training process that links individual and group counseling theories and practices to those used in marriage and family therapy. This book helps families handle pressing issues such as Alzheimer's disease, HIV, and chronic medical problems. It addresses the concerns of special needs families.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1 Twentieth Century Trends in Marriage and Marital Therapy. 2 The Conceptualization of Marriage and Family Dynamics. 3 Marital Therapy from a Psychoanalytic Perspective. 4 The Conceptualization of Marriage from a Behavioral Perspective. 5 Marital Therapy from a Behavioral Perspective. 6 The Conceptualization of Marriage from a Systems Theory Perspective. 7 Marital Therapy from a Systems Theory Perspective. 8 A Review of the Research on the Effectiveness of Marital Therapy. 9 Contemporary Marital Therapies: A Critique and Comparative Analysis of Psychoanalytic, Behavioral and Systems Theory Approaches.

The essential guide to successful couples therapy at every stage ofthe lifecycle A variety of therapeutic interventions can help couples developthe tools for a successful relationship. Yet many practitionersbegin seeing couples without extensive training in couples work. Tofill this gap in their therapeutic repertoires, noted couplestherapist Michele Harway brings together other well-known expertsin marriage and family therapy to offer the Handbook of CouplesTherapy, a comprehensive guide to the study and practice of couplestherapy. The book's chapters provide a variety of perspectives alongdevelopmental, theoretical, and situational lines. Recognizing theneed for clinically proven, evidence-based approaches, chaptersprovide detailed coverage of the most effective treatment modes.Couples at different stages of the lifecycle feature prominently inthe text, as do relevant special issues and treatment approachesfor each stage. Subjects covered include: Premarital counseling from the PAIRS perspective (an extensivecurriculum of interventions for premarital couples) The first years of marital commitment Couples with young children Couples with adolescents Therapy with older couples Same sex couples A variety of theoretical approaches, includingCognitive-Behavioral, Object Relational, Narrative, Integrative,and Feminist and Contextual Special issues and situations, including serious illness,physical aggression, addiction, infidelity, and religious/spiritualcommitments or conflicts Providing a diverse set of treatment approaches suited to workingwith a wide range of adult populations, the Handbook of CouplesTherapy is an essential resource for mental healthprofessionals working with couples.

"Now in its second edition, this text introduces readers to the rich history and practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, with 32 professionals from across the US presenting their knowledge in their areas of expertise. This blend of approaches and styles gives this text a unique voice and makes it a comprehensive resource for graduate students taking their first course in Marriage and Family Therapy. The book is divided into three sections: Part 1 focuses on the components on which 21st century family therapy is based and summarizes the most recent changes made to not only therapeutic interventions, but to the very concept of "family." Part 2 presents an overview of the 7 major theoretical models of the field: structural, strategic, Milan, social constructionist, experiential, transgenerational, and cognitive-behavioral family therapy. Each chapter in this section - Focuses on the founder of the theory, its theoretical tenants, and its key techniques - Shows how the model focuses on diversity - Presents the research that supports the approach Part 3 addresses specific treatment areas that are common to marriage and family therapists, such as sex therapy, pre-marital therapy, research, and ethics and legal issues"--

An ideal supplemental text, this instructive casebook presents in-depth illustrations of treatment based on the most important couple therapy models. An array of leading clinicians offer a window onto how they work with clients grappling with mild and more serious clinical concerns, including conflicts surrounding intimacy, sex, power, and communication; parenting issues; and mental illness. Featuring couples of varying ages, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations, the cases shed light on both what works and what doesn't work when treating intimate partners. Each candid case presentation includes engaging comments and discussion questions from the editor. See also Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Fourth Edition, also edited by Alan S. Gurman, which provides an authoritative overview of theory and practice.