Doing Couple Therapy Craft and Creativity in Work with Intimate Partners

Now thoroughly revised, this practical, user-friendly guide has helped thousands of novice couple therapists and students to navigate the challenges of clinical work with couples in conflict. Robert Taibbi presents effective strategies for rapidly identifying a couple's core issues and conducting each stage of therapy, from the first sessions to termination. Rich with sensitive case material, the book features end-of-chapter exercises that help readers identify and develop their own strengths as practitioners. Appendices include reproducible client handouts that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Three chapters offering detailed treatment maps for common couple problems, with new case examples. *Chapter on the middle stages of treatment. *Increased attention to the all-important opening sessions. *Sharper focus on the three major obstacles to couple success: poor communication, emotional wounds, and differing visions. *Reproducible client handouts explaining key techniques. See also the author's Doing Family Therapy, Fourth Edition: Craft and Creativity in Clinical Practice.

1. Into the Fray: Theoretical Foundation and Overview 2. The Basics: Clinical Goals and Tasks 3. Relationship Obstacle 1: Poor Communication Skills 4. Relationship Obstacles 2 and 3: Emotional Wounds and Differing Visions 5. Beginnings: Structure and Tasks 6. Beginnings in Action 7. Middle Stages 8. Termination 9. The Developmental Landscape 10. Treatment Maps for Common Couple Problems: Affairs, Money Issues, and Violent and Volatile Couples 11. Treatment Maps for Common Couple Problems: Sexual Issues, Stale Relationships, and Extended Family Issues 12. Treatment Maps for Common Child-Related Problems 13. One Helping Two, Two Helping One: Working with Individuals in Relationships 14. Life in the Details: The Nuts and Bolts of Couple Therapy Appendix A. Explanation of Emotional Wounds Appendix B. Instructions for a First-Aid Plan for Violent Couples Appendix C. Instructions for Meditation Appendix D. Instructions for the Emotional Freedom Technique Appendix E. Instructions for Using Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety References Index

Robert Taibbi, LCSW, is an experienced clinician, supervisor, and clinical director who has been practicing almost 50 years. He is the author of numerous books, including Doing Family Therapy, Fourth Edition, and Doing Couple Therapy, Second Edition, as well as over 300 magazine and journal articles, and writes a column entitled Fixing Families for Psychology Today online. Mr. Taibbi provides training both nationally and internationally in couple therapy, family therapy, brief therapy, and clinical supervision. He has a private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia.