Techniques for the Couple Therapist

Gerald R. Weeks, PhD, is a professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.Stephen T. Fife, PhD, is an associate professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.Colleen M. Peterson, PhD, is the director of the Center for Individual, Couple and Family Counseling and an associate professor-in-residence in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

• Preface I. Fundamental Principles for Effective Couple Therapy 1. The Heart and Soul of Couple Therapy Fife 2. Joining: From the Perspective of the Use of Self Aponte 3. The Road to Mastery: Three Steps for Improving Performance as a Couples Therapist Miller and Hubble 4. The Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS) Duncan and Sparks II. Techniques and Interventions A. Enactments 5. Enactment: From the Perspective of the Use of Self Aponte 6. Enactments in Five Developmental Stages Davis 7. Effectively Structuring Enactments Davis and Espinoza B. Couple Communication 8. Expanding Levels of Communication Weeks and Gambescia 9. Rule-Governed Speaker-Listener Techniques Diamond and Lebow 10. Problem Solving Strategies Based on PREP (Prevention and Relationship Education Program) Parson, Ritchie, and Markman 11. The Daily Dialogue Carlson and Lorelle 12. Using Shared Journaling to Practice Communication Skills with Couples Zimmerman and Haddock 13. Soft/Hard/Soft Communication Papernow 14. Multidirectional Partiality Long and Kort C. Reframing 15. Systemic Reframing Simon 16. Taking Ownership Carlson and Lorelle 17. Re-Attribution Epstein 18. Clarifying the Negative Cycle in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) Johnson and Brubacher 19. Externalizing Conversations Combs and Freedman 20. Re-Storying the Problem Long and Kort 21. Reattribution and Narrative Change Diamond and Lebow D. Anger and Conflict 22. Anger Management Self-Talk Epstein 23. Unbalancing Simon 24. Confronting Splitting Siegel 25. Identifying and Working through Projective Identification Siegel 26. Helping Partners Break Free of Adversarial Relationships: Transitioning from I-It to I-Thou Fife 27. Tracking Protective Sequences in Internal Family Systems Therapy Herbine-Blank 28. Emphatic Joining Papernow E. Intimacy, Growth, and Change 29. Aspects of Intimacy Fife 30. Intimacy and Sharing Hurts L’Abate 31. Deepening Attachment Emotion in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) Johnson and Brubacher 32. Asking about the Absent but Implicit in Narrative Therapy Freedman and Combs 33. What’s Better?: Focusing on Positives Jordan 34. Scaling Questions with Couples Jordan 35. Support Talk: Intervention for Enhancing Social Support Based on PREP (The Prevention and Relationship Education Program) Ritchie, Parsons, and Markman 36. Hugging, Holding, Huddling, and Cuddling (3HC) L’Abate 37. "Your Cyberplace or Mine?": Electronic Fantasy Dates Hertlein 38. Forgiveness in Couples Therapy: Expanding Compassion, Responsibility, and Apology Hammer and Hargrave 39. Restoration of Relationships After Affairs Hargrave and Hammer 40. Myths about Marriage Larson 41. Developmental Tasks in the Critical First Year of Marriage: Clinical Guidelines Larson F. Health and Wellness 42. A Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Assessment in Brief or Extended Couple Therapy Formats Hodgson, Lamson, and Kolobova 43. Using the Wellness Wheel with Couples Zimmerman and Haddock 44. Identifying and Reducing Stress that Influences Relational Health Lamson, Hodgson, and Muse 45. Psychoeducation on the Influences of Stress on Couples Milek and Bodenmann 46. 3-Phase Method of Dyadic Coping Bodenmann and Milek G. Intimate Partner Violence 47. Clinical Assessment Interview for Intimate Partner Violence Smith and Whiting 48. "I didn’t hurt you, but if I did I had a good reason!": Denial and Distortion in Abuse Couples Whiting and Smith H. Addressing Childhood Sexual Abuse in Couple Therapy 49. Using Psychoeducation when Assessing and Treating the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Couple Relationships Peterson and Smedley 50. Promoting Healing of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) Survivors within the Couple Relationship Smedley and Peterson

“Weeks, Fife, and Peterson assembled the most influential names in couples therapy and let them write about the most exciting techniques—from the Speaker Listener Technique to EFT to Scaling Questions. Using these techniques, beginning and advanced therapists can help couples deal with anger, stress and intimacy issues, develop forgiveness, and cope with affairs. The finished product is a must-have book for any therapist working with couples.”—Mark E. Young, PhD, Marriage and Family Research Institute, University of Central Florida.“The editors have produced a unique resource for anyone working with couples. This book includes some of the finest names in the field and nicely distills the essential ingredients for conducting effective therapy, from developing a strong therapeutic alliance to utilizing the full spectrum of therapeutic interventions. I highly recommend this resource to all professionals aspiring to sharpen their clinical skills.”—Frank M. Dattilio, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.“As a director of an accredited MFT program, I know my students will find Techniques for the Couple Therapist immediately useful. The book addresses many dilemmas faced by MFTs, from how to join with couples to how to reduce denial and distortion in high conflict couples. The book will be invaluable to beginning and seasoned therapists and to clinical supervisors who provide guidance in areas they may find challenging. I will recommend this book be included in our couple’s therapy course.”—Sandra Stith, PhD, Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Kansas State University. “With Techniques for the Couple Therapist, editors Weeks, Fife, and Peterson have assembled the leaders in contemporary couples therapy—over forty internationally-known scholars and practitioners representing the major systemic clinical orientations—to offer state-of-the-art clinical ideas and techniques to help distressed couples. The aggregate wisdom and experience presented in this book will serve to teach, motivate, and inspire both new and seasoned clinicians alike.”—Terry S. Trepper, PhD, Editor, Journal of Family Psychotherapy, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Purdue University Northwest.