Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy

by Neil S. Jacobson (Editor)

Updating and expanding upon the highly acclaimed and widely adopted Clinical Handbook of Marital Therapy , this book is a comprehensive, authoritative guide to therapy with couples. Placing couple therapy at the center of cutting-edge developments in the broader domain of psychotherapy, the volume presents a balanced mixture of both major enduring clinical methods and recent conceptual, clinical, and empirical advances.

Organized for optimal clinical use, the book begins with a detailed analysis of the major models of couple therapy. Noted contributors present descriptions of strategies and techniques and link these to a basic theoretical framework. Included are entirely new in-depth chapters on problem- and solution-focused, cognitive-behavioral, object relational, and ego-analytic therapies, as well as chapters on Bowen family systems, emotionally focused, group, and preventive approaches. Ways in which influential theories have been refined in the last decade are clearly delineated.

Each chapter follows a uniform structure, presenting detailed discussions
* The theoretical model of couple distress/dysfunction
* Rationale for how the treatment approach follows from the model
* Overall strategy, including diagnostic/assessment procedures, typical goals, structure of therapy session, and hypothesized active ingredients of the approach
* The therapist's role in the therapeutic process and typical technical errors
* Specific strategies, including major techniques, common obstacles, and limitations of the approach
* Common clinical issues such as managing resistance, handling acute relationship distress, and dealing with termination

Chapters in Part II discuss issues of culture, gender, religion, race, and sexual orientation, exploring the ways deeply felt personal values in these areas can cause conflict between partners as well as problems in the therapeutic discourse. Also examined are ruptures of the relational bond and the facilitation of healthy divorce processes.

The conduct of couple therapy with psychiatric disorders is addressed in Part III. Each chapter

* The usual diagnostic definition of the problem
* How relationship issues contribute to the (individual)
problem; and how individual problems contribute to
relationship discord
* Nondyadic factors that may play a role in the etiology or
maintenance of the disorder
* The limitations of a purely "relational therapy" approach
* Other interventions that can be used within the framework of
a relationally focused therapy.
Considered are depression, anxiety, personality disorders, alcoholism, eating disorders, and sexual desire disorders.

Authoritative and comprehensive, the Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy is a worthy successor to its highly acclaimed and widely adopted predecessor. Presenting a wealth of practical and theoretical information on the full range of couple therapy interventions, the work is invaluable for a variety of professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and nurses. It also serves as an excellent text for advanced courses in these areas.

Genres: Psychology, Relationships, School, Mental Health, Textbooks, Counselling, Grad School

510 pages, Hardcover

First published July 28, 1995

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very thorough survey of all the major modalities for couples and family therapy. Why only three stars? The editing. It's terrible. The chapters, with only two or three exceptions, are long and rambling. A great deal within the book is repetitious without being enlightening. So, a good broad yet shallow treatment on the topic.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview on working with couples from all systemic theories. I will use this resource often in my future, professional, couples work.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Well-written and packed with relevant and helpful topics and information. I expect to refer back to a lot of its material.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters on Gottman and EFT are excellent

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

MFT Couples 554

[Lisa]

I changed tracks and never read it! Will be keeping as a resource

[Maria Baronov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Built for couples” therapy, which I don’t practice, but opens up an understanding of the system that help understand an individual at a much deeper level.

[Rocky · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest complaint about this book is the small font size and double colums on each page. I have read the intro, Chapter 4 on Emotionally Focused Therapy and Chapter 5 on Gottman's work with relationships. I like that Gurgman got each expert in their part of therapy to write the chaper on their theories and work.

[Emiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering 2015, and the exponential changes regarding LGBT issues, the book still holds valuable insight and reminders for therapists working with couples. Still, the 5th edition would be ideal, which, according to Amazon, is scheduled for release in June (2015).

[darrienmichael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for its intended purpose as a master's level text book. I'll keep it and refer to it as needed.

[Jamie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Informative. A lot of information to absorb! Will continue reading this book into the future.

[Dr. Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's like reading an English book in German. Horrible.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, good for class lecture.