This practical book will be invaluable for therapists who are interested in applying cognitive therapy techniques to their work with couples. Although there has been an explosion of research and development in cognitive therapy over the past decade, very little has previously been written that provides an integrated cognitive therapy approach to working with distressed couples. This book provides step-by-step guidance on applying cognitive therapy techniques in your work with dysfunctional couples. This is a unique, structured, and active therapeutic approach. Clinical assessment materials include surveys and questionnaires. Also presents communications training and problem-solving strategies. Discusses special problems such as infidelity, cultural issues, alternative lifestyles, and ending relationships. --- from the publisher Reviews: "The application of cognitive therapy to the treatment of relationship dysfunction in this book provides one of the most extensive descriptions of a cognitively based intervention for couples and, I hope, will stimulate much-needed outcome research on cognitive therapy with couples...this is a useful addition to the clinical literature. It describes intervention for relationship dysfunction from the perspective of a system of therapy that has been influential in the treatment of individuals. The utility of this system in the treatment of dyads is well worth examining...publication of this book brings us a step closer to the empirical evaluation of cognitive therapy with couples and in doing so contributes to the link between science and practice." *Contemporary Psychology "One of those little books that is worth its weight in gold. In fact, it reminded me of Virginia Satir's Conjoint Family Therapy...packed with profound, easy-to-read and understand material... It presents a framework, details theory and puts it into practice, offers frequent case examples that clearly illustrate the strategies and techniques, and offers helpful mechanisms which assist in the conducting of the therapeutic process... The authors provide not only a 'How to' perspective, but one which includes 'Why to' insights." *Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy "...fills an important gap in the current approaches available to treat couples. This highly readable and practical volume will enable the reader to begin using this approach immediately as an adjunctive and singular approach. The use of this approach along with behavioral and affective models will lead to greater integration as well as tailoring of treatment to the specific couples rather than the couple to the treatment." *Gerald R. Weeks, PhD, Marriage Council of Philadelphia "This book is complete - with theory, technique and examples for the practice of Cognitive Therapy With Couples written with an expert knowledge of method and practical experience in its application." *Harry J. Aponte, ACSW "I enjoyed this book. It contains practical, current and very much needed information for the couple's therapist." *Cloe Madanes, Family Therapy Institute of Washington DC Contents: 1. Overview of Cognitive Therapy Historical Development Philosophy and Theory 2. Cognitive Therapy with Couples Brief History and Overview Beliefs About the Relationship 3. Assessment Overview Conjoint Interviews Written Inventories and Questionnaires Individual Interviews Establishing a Treatment Contract Identifying Problem Areas Identifying Couples Automatic Thoughts Using Automatic Thoughts to Uncover Underlying Beliefs (Schemas) Identity from Family of Origin Clinician's Intake Evaluation for Couples 4. Techniques and Procedures Educating Couples to the Cognitive Model Identifying Cognitive Distortions and Labeling Them Faulty Information Processing Negative Framing Teaching Couples to Identify Automatic Thoughts Linking Emotions with Automatic Thoughts The Use of Imagery and Role Play Techniques Dispelling Automatic Thoughts and Reframing/Testing Automatic Thoughts Increasing Positives in the Relationship Communication Training and Problem Solving 5. The Structure of Cognitive Therapy with Couples Course and Frequency of Therapy Sessions Individual Versus Conjoint Sessions Setting Agendas Homework Assignments Follow-Up Booster Sessions 6. Special Issues in Couple Therapy Crises Situations Anger and Violence Situations Infidelity When One Wants Out and the Other Doesn't When Is It Time to End the Relationship? Other Psychiatric Disorders in the Couple Cultural Issues Gay and Lesbian Couples 7. Case Vignette: Zack and Carli 8. Concluding Remarks References Index About the Authors: Frank M. Dattilio, PhD, received his doctorate in Psychological Studies from Temple University and completed a clinical post-doctoral fellowship through the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist and is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. A Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, he is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Education at Lehigh University, as well as Clinical Associate in Psychiatry(Psychology) at the Center for Cognitive Therapy, University of Pennsylvania. His areas of specialization include individual, marital, and family therapy, and he has authored and co-authored numerous professional articles and chapters on the treatment of behavior disorders, anxiety, and marital discord. Dr. Dattilio has lectured in both the U.S. and Europe and is co-editor with Arthur Freeman,EdD, of A Casebook in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to be released through Plenum Press in 1991. Christine A. Padesky, PhD, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from UCLA and si Founder and Director of the Center for Cognitive Therapy, Newport Beach, California. She is a licensed psychologist and listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Padesky has been cited as one of the leading Cognitive Therapy instructors in both the United States and abroad. In addition to being founding editor of the International Cognitive Therapy Newsletter, she has written articles and book chapters on depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and cognitive therapy with women. Dr. Padesky is one of the co-authors with Aaron T. Beck, MD, of Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders (Guilford, 1990).
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