Predicting change through individual symptoms and relationship distress: A study of within‐ and between‐person processes in couple therapy

AbstractThis invited paper is a review of the significance of couple relationships to the practice of all therapists. The article begins with a summary of the evidence on the centrality of committed couple relationships to the lives and wellbeing of adults, and the association of the quality of the parents’ couple relationship on the wellbeing of children. We argue that the well-established reciprocal association between individual problems and couple relationship problems means that all therapists need to pay attention to how a couple relationship might be influencing a client's functioning, even if the relationship is not the presenting problem. There is an outline the evolution of current approaches to behavioural couple therapy, and the current state of the art and science of couple therapy. We present an analysis of the evidence for couple therapy as a treatment for relationship distress, as well as couple-based treatments for individual problems. This is followed by a description of the distinctive challenges in working with couples and how to address those challenges, and recommendations about how to address the needs of diverse couple relationships. Finally, we propose some core therapist competencies needed to work effectively with couples.

Download Full-text

Cognitive-behavioral and emotion-focused couple therapy: Similarities and differences

Clinical Psychology in Europe ◽

10.32872/cpe.v2i3.2741 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Guy Bodenmann ◽

Mirjam Kessler ◽

Rebekka Kuhn ◽

Lauren Hocker ◽

Ashley K. Randall

Keyword(s):

Couple Therapy ◽

Theoretical Background ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Major Focus ◽

Background Process ◽

Internal Factors ◽

Relationship Distress ◽

New Directions ◽

Similarities And Differences ◽

The Relationship

Background Couples and families often seek therapy to deal with relational distress, which is a result of external or internal factors of the relationship. Two approaches are acknowledged to be most effective in dealing with relationship distress or psychological disorders in couples: (a) cognitive behavioral couple therapy with new directions (CBCT) and (b) emotion-focused couple therapy (EFCT). In this article we investigate how much CBCT and EFCT really differ with regard to working with emotions, which is claimed to be a major focus of EFCT, and whether there exist significant differences in efficacy between these two approaches. Method This article critically reviews the theoretical background, process, techniques and outcomes associated with CBCT and EFCT in an effort to challenge the assumptions noted above. Results There is no evidence that EFCT is more emotion-focused than CBCT. Both approaches were repeatedly examined with RCT studies with follow-ups. In sum, no significant differences in effect size were found between CBCT and EFCT. Conclusion CBCT and EFCT are both effective in reducing couples’ distress.

Download Full-text

Emotionally focused couple therapy within VA healthcare: Reductions in relationship distress, PTSD, and depressive symptoms as a function of attachment-based couple treatment.

Couple and Family Psychology Research and Practice ◽

10.1037/cfp0000210 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michael B. Ganz ◽

Hannah F. Rasmussen ◽

Tatiana V. McDougall ◽

Geoffrey W. Corner ◽

Tabitha T. Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Couple Therapy ◽

Relationship Distress ◽

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽

Emotionally Focused

Download Full-text

The Oxford Handbook of Relationship Science and Couple Interventions

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199783267.001.0001 ◽

2014 ◽

Keyword(s):

Couple Therapy ◽

Subsequent Treatment ◽

Relationship Education ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Cultural Issues ◽

Committed Relationships ◽

Relationship Distress ◽

Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽

Empirically Supported ◽

Applied Study

Marriage and other long-term committed relationships are an integral part of our lives and confer many benefits. 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 stably, 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 Interventionsshowcases cutting-edge research in relationship science, including couple functioning, relationship education, and couple therapy. The book begins with the most current definitions of and classifications for relationship dysfunction, which are reflected in the most recent versions of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5)and theInternational Classification of Diagnoses (ICD-11). Next, the latest research on the biological, psychological, and interpersonal causes and correlates of couple dysfunction and subsequent treatment implications is presented. The latest findings regarding empirically supported prevention and treatment interventions for couple dysfunction are then presented, and diversity and cultural issues are discussed in the context of working with couples. The information contained in this handbook will benefit researchers who seek to understand relationship distress and design interventions to prevent and treat couple distress, and clinicians who are diagnosing, assessing, and treating couple dysfunction in their practices.

Download Full-text