Couples in Treatment

This third edition of Couples in Treatment helps readers conceptualize and treat couples from multiple perspectives and with a multitude of techniques. The authors do not advocate any single approach to couple therapy and instead present basic principles and techniques with wide-ranging applicability and the power to invite change, making this the most useful text on integrative, systemic couple therapy. Throughout the book the authors consider the individual, interactional, and intergenerational systems of any case. Gerald Weeks' Intersystems Model, a comprehensive, integrative, and contextual meta framework, can be superimposed over existing therapy approaches. It emphasizes principles of therapy and can facilitate assessing, conceptualizing couples' problems, and providing helpful interventions. Couple therapists are encouraged to utilize the principles in this book to enhance their therapeutic process and fit their approach to the client, rather than forcing the client to fit their theory.

Gerald R. Weeks, PhD, is Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and is also in private practice. Stephen T. Fife, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Program at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and is also in private practice.

Part I: Basic Principles and Processes of Couples Therapy. 1. Couple Therapy and the Intersystems Model 2. Assessment, Case Formulation, and Avoiding Common Mistakes 3. Orienting Couples to Therapy 4. Systemic Conceptualization and Treatment 5. Keeping Therapy Balanced 6. Moving from Content to Process 7. Building and Managing Intensity 8. Systemic Therapy with Individual Clients 9. Common Factors of Change and Couple Therapy Part II: Basic Approaches and Techniques. 10. Enhancing Intimacy in Relationships 11. Reframing 12. Communication Techniques 13. Conflict Resolution 14. Cognitive Techniques and Interventions 15. Techniques of Relationship Contracting 16. Working with Emotions 17. Homework: Extending Techniques from the Office to Home 18. Treating Infidelity 19. Working with Highly Reactive Couples 20. Solidifying Change and Maintaining Progress