Mod 6 Relationship Theory Used In Couples Counselling

Gurman, A. S. (2008). Clinical handbook of couple therapy (4th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

During treatment Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy (CBCT) and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) will use feedback sessions to help assess how the couple is doing in a positive way (Gurman, 2008). Both CBCT and IBCT both use conflict and emotional expressions as avenues for couples to express their affection and understanding for one another (Gurman, 2008). Both CBCT and IBCT also have the same value system of creating a general closeness and intimacy between partners (Gurman, 2008). Regardless of the differences, the two therapies have the general

Research in the field of couples and family counseling is very limited, one of the many reasons for this is the lack of governmental funding and the fact that relational issues are not view as diagnosable mental illnesses. It is important to note that what little research exists will be of great use to a practitioner. This is because what we can learn from this research is the factors of satisfied/unsatisfied couples/families, communication patterns of a satisfied/distressed couple/family, or if marriage/divorce rates are projected to grow/shrink.

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JAMES D. GIBSON FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR CO 5740 INTRODUCTION TO MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING

After reading two articles it was interesting to note the differences and similarities between the two intellectual and highly respected individuals within the field of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Each makes many valid points yet with such opposing viewpoints. By taking a closer look at some specific areas one may see that though these men have different beliefs on how treatment should be conducted, there are also some parallels. Some of the topics will include the history and future of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), what they agree and disagree on along with the challenges each has dealt with. Finally the author of this paper will provide insight as to what this means for her as she begins her journey to becoming a Marriage and Family therapist.

Participants. The study used previously collected pre-treatment data from a 5-year longitudinal study comparing the effectiveness of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) and Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy (TBCT) (Christensen et al., 2004). Participants included 134 chronically and seriously distressed heterosexual couples seeking couple therapy in Los Angeles (71 couples) and Seattle (63 couples). To be included in the study, couples had to be legally married and cohabiting, be seeking couple therapy, and meet criteria for serious and stable marital distress based on measures of marital satisfaction administered at three different time points prior to the intervention. Additionally, both partners had to be between the ages of

Fow, N.R. (1998). Partner-focused reversal in couples therapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training. 35(2), 231-237.

In the essay, “What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage”, Amy Sutherland explains that she learned and applied several behavioral training techniques that ultimately helped make her marriage more amicable. She learned the techniques while conducting research for her book, and subsequently used the techniques on her unsuspecting husband to, “nudge him a little closer to perfect”. Amy used training techniques such as approximations, incompatible behavior, and least reinforcing syndrome, (L.R.S.).

Emotion focused family therapy by Leslie Greenberg and Susan Johnson address an attachment based theoretical orientation. Emotion focused therapy focuses on emotion as communication and focuses on one person in the couple utilizing defenses as a response to their partner when their attachment needs are not being met (Tobin, 2016). Emotion focused therapy also addresses interventions, which focus on elements related to the relationship and marital satisfaction (Tobin, 2016). Treatment in emotion-focused therapy also seeks to help couples understand their feelings of isolation deprivation, and loneliness (Tobin, 2016). The focus is also on the interactions between the couple that could be causing distress in the relationship.

Due to the many incidences of extramarital affairs, the percentage of couples seeking therapy while coping with adultery is largely unknown. Even with the enormous amount of occurrences, as well as clinical research in couple’s therapy, only three earlier studies have delved into the actual usefulness that couples therapy has had on extramarital affairs (Marin, Christensen & Atkins, 2014).

Gottman method couple therapy or Gottman's Sound Relationship House (SRH) theory (Gottman, 1999) is grounded on years of John Gottman’s research and exploration about what makes marital relationships succeed or fail. The outcomes of these studies reveal that couples with successful

Couples often attend marriage counselling as a last resort to save their sinking relationship, hence the counsellor should have in mind an effective approach to help the couple address and explore their problems and to help them in

There are two main theories applied to relationships, Social Exchange Theory and Equity Theory underpin commonly used behavioural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. More recent studies in neuroscience and behaviour and the importance of language have led to the development of Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an alternative approach. In this essay I will outline the relationship models comparing and contrasting them. I will also introduce and briefly touch on Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an additional approach to couples counselling and offer considerations which an

In the past, I regularly concluded marriage counseling as cliché and often ineffective. I consistently heard people say how marriage counseling was foolish and if your marriage is failing, a professional was incapable of fixing it. I likewise repeatedly assumed a considerable amount of marriage counselors just longed for love themselves, or they would practice interventions which were super far-fetched from what the couples actually needed. I assumed those ideas when I first signed up for this class. Trust me, I had all the stereotypes down. Now, you are probably wondering why I even signed up for this class. I’m incredibly indecisive on what counseling path I wish to pursue, therefore I decided to give this class a shot. I want to pick

Education and training has been used by generalist social workers to help individuals and groups learn new skills and concepts and are considered interventions when used as the primary goal of the interaction (Poulin, 2010). The chosen population for this literature review is a legally married couple that is “considered healthy marriage-a generous, respectful, equal partnership free of abuse” (Hawkins et al., 2004, p.547). The chosen intervention for this review is marital and relationship education. While the studies on this intervention are ongoing, “results replicate previous findings that skills-based relationship education enhances couple communication and prevents erosion of relationship satisfaction” (Halford, Sanders, Behrens, 2001, p.765). Others studies agree that “enough is known to continue the work that has begun” (Hawkins et al., 2004, p.547). While different studies use different terminology, the intervention used in assisting married couples achieve satisfying lives together is