Marriage and other long-term committed relationships are an integral part of our lives and confer many benefits. People in satisfying marriages report greater life happiness, live longer, and are less vulnerable to mental and physical illness. Unfortunately, many couples experience significant relationship distress and about half of marriages end in divorce. Among those who stay married, a notable number of couples remain in unstable, severely distressed marriages for years or even decades. Given the serious physical and psychological consequences of relationship distress and divorce for spouses and their children, it is clear that relationship science-the basic and applied study of relationship development, maintenance, and dysfunction-is of critical importance. The Oxford Handbook of Relationship Science and Couple Interventions showcases cutting-edge research in relationship science, including couple functioning, relationship education, and couple therapy. The book presents the most current definitions of and classifications for relationship dysfunction and discusses the latest research on the biological, psychological, and interpersonal causes and correlates of couple dysfunction and subsequent treatment implications. The latest findings regarding empirically supported prevention and treatment interventions for couple dysfunction are highlighted, as well as diversity and cultural issues in the context of working with couples. This Handbook will appeal to researchers who seek to understand the development of relationship distress and design interventions to prevent and treat couple distress and clinicians who are diagnosing, assessing, and treating couple dysfunction.

Marriage and other long-term committed relationships are an integral part of our lives and confer many benefits. People in satisfying marriages report greater life happiness, live longer, and are less vulnerable to mental and physical illness. Unfortunately, many couples experience significant relationship distress and about half of marriages end in divorce. Among those who stay married, a notable number of couples remain in unstable, severely distressed marriages for years or even decades. Given the serious physical and psychological consequences of relationship distress and divorce for spouses and their children, it is clear that relationship science-the basic and applied study of relationship development, maintenance, and dysfunction-is of critical importance. The Oxford Handbook of Relationship Science and Couple Interventions showcases cutting-edge research in relationship science, including couple functioning, relationship education, and couple therapy. The book presents the most current definitions of and classifications for relationship dysfunction and discusses the latest research on the biological, psychological, and interpersonal causes and correlates of couple dysfunction and subsequent treatment implications. The latest findings regarding empirically supported prevention and treatment interventions for couple dysfunction are highlighted, as well as diversity and cultural issues in the context of working with couples. This Handbook will appeal to researchers who seek to understand the development of relationship distress and design interventions to prevent and treat couple distress and clinicians who are diagnosing, assessing, and treating couple dysfunction.

This book gives readers a rich and detailed understanding of what it is like to work with a diverse range of couple presentations from a CBT perspective. The book starts by outlining the principle conceptual insights and therapeutic strategies of two different two approaches to CBT Couple Therapy, Contextually Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Couple Therapy and Integrative Behavioural Couple Therapy. In part two, authors working in a wide range of clinical settings describe how they have drawn upon and applied CBT Couple therapy across a variety of issues including: couple distress, sexual issues, infidelity, inter-partner violence, transition to parenthood, separation issues, personality disorders, and more. Each chapter provides discussions of strategies for assessment and formulation and includes examples of dialogue from fictionalised case studies as well as therapist tips. Case Studies in Cognitive Behavioural Couple Therapy will be required reading for both beginning and experienced couple therapists who wish to draw upon the wide range of evidence-based strategies available in Cognitive Behavioural Couple therapy.

This book provides an in-depth and comprehensive summary of the psychology of close relationships, and showcases classic and contemporary theories, models, and empirical research that have been conducted in the field.

The essential guide to successful couples therapy at every stage of the lifecycle A variety of therapeutic interventions can help couples develop the tools for a successful relationship. Yet many practitioners begin seeing couples without extensive training in couples work. To fill this gap in their therapeutic repertoires, noted couples therapist Michele Harway brings together other well-known experts in marriage and family therapy to offer the Handbook of Couples Therapy, a comprehensive guide to the study and practice of couples therapy. The book's chapters provide a variety of perspectives along developmental, theoretical, and situational lines. Recognizing the need for clinically proven, evidence-based approaches, chapters provide detailed coverage of the most effective treatment modes. Couples at different stages of the lifecycle feature prominently in the text, as do relevant special issues and treatment approaches for each stage. Subjects covered include: Premarital counseling from the PAIRS perspective (an extensive curriculum 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, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Object Relational, Narrative, Integrative, and Feminist and Contextual Special issues and situations, including serious illness, physical aggression, addiction, infidelity, and religious/spiritual commitments or conflicts Providing a diverse set of treatment approaches suited to working with a wide range of adult populations, the Handbook of Couples Therapy is an essential resource for mental health professionals working with couples.

This handbook reviews therapy and counselling with couples, whether they be married, co-habiting, heterosexual, lesbian or gay. It explores how the problems of closely involved couples are assessed and tackled in different circumstances and in different ways. It places couples therapy in its theoretical and institutional contexts, analyzes immediate therapeutic concerns, and examines the wider roles of agencies, education, research and training.

"This comprehensive work is more than just the standard reference on attachment theory and research - it has helped to define and shape this rapidly growing field."--Inside jacket.

Includes established theories and cutting-edge developments. Presents the work of an international group of experts. Presents the nature, origin, implications, an future course of major unresolved issues in the area.

This book presents cutting-edge research and theory on couple relationships, with an emphasis on the implications for child development. It demonstrates the influence of couple relationships on parenting processes and child development; explores the determinants of couple functioning, relationship satisfaction, and relationship stability; and, details the mechanisms by which marital difficulties impact children's development and functioning.

Suitable for readers experiencing their first foray into family counseling, as well as for seasoned practitioners confused by the competing array of theoretical orientations and technical approaches, Becoming a Family Counselor first orients the reader to the field of family therapy and then presents five themes inherent in successful family intervention. The book concludes with practical chapters on conducting family therapy in an individually oriented reimbursement environment, developing change-oriented interactional styles, and engaging in ethically sound practice.