ABSTRACT

As a quality resource that examines the psychological, neurobiological, cultural, and spiritual considerations that undergird optimal couple care, Foundations for Couples’ Therapy teaches readers to conduct sensitive and comprehensive therapy with a diverse range of couples. Experts from social work, clinical psychotherapy, neuroscience, social psychology, and health respond to one of seven central case examples to help readers understand the dynamics within each partner, as well as within the couple as a system and within a broader cultural context. Presented within a Problem-Based Learning approach (PBL), these cases ground the text in clinical reality. Contributors cover critical and emerging topics like cybersex, emotional well-being, forgiveness, military couples, developmental trauma, and more, making it a must-have for practitioners as well as graduate students.

chapter 1|7 pages

Beyond Models and Interventions

What Else Do Couples’ Therapists Need to Know?

chapter 2|12 pages

Romantic Love as an Attachment Process

Shaping Secure Bonds

chapter 10|11 pages

Cybersex and Pornography

chapter 11|9 pages

Death of a Child

Impact on the Parents’ Couple Relationship

chapter 16|11 pages

Forgiveness

chapter 17|10 pages

Gambling

chapter 18|10 pages

Couples and Health

chapter 19|11 pages

Hurt Feelings

chapter 20|9 pages

Close Relationships, Immune Function, and Health

Understanding the Clinical Importance of Distressed Relationships

chapter 22|10 pages

The Interpersonal Process Model of Intimacy

Maintaining Intimacy Through Self-Disclosure and Responsiveness

chapter 23|10 pages

Coping With Jealousy

chapter 29|11 pages

Neurophysiological Processes in Couple Relationships

Emotion, Attachment Bonds, and the Brain

chapter 33|15 pages

Working With Same-Sex Couples

Considerations for Self-Supervision

chapter 38|11 pages

Couple Therapy and Spirituality

chapter 39|9 pages

Emotionally Focused Family Therapy for Stepfamilies

Building Security for Children in the Face of Complexity and Change

chapter 41|11 pages

Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervision

The Four Chambers of the HEART

chapter 42|12 pages

Developmental Trauma

chapter 45|11 pages

Work, Stress, and Love

Investigating Crossover Through Couples’ Lived Experiences

chapter 46|16 pages

Research for the Real World

Integrating Research With Seven Couple Cases