A Step-by-Step Guide to Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy


Book Description

Writing to the practicing clinician, this book offers a step-by-step practical guide to Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT) when working with individuals, couples, and families. Most therapists know sociocultural systems influence their clients’ lives, but few know how to connect the dots between what happens in the wider society, interpersonal neurobiology, relational processes, and client well-being. Written by a founder of SERT, Carmen Knudson-Martin draws on knowledge from multiple disciplines to innovatively weave together a practical step-by-step guide that demystifies the connections between micro and macro processes and relational/self-development. Divided into four parts, chapters cover how to conceptualize clinical issues through a socio-emotional lens, the therapist’s role in assessment, goal-setting, clinical decision-making, the “how-to” of each of the three phases of the SERT clinical sequence, and self-of-the-therapist work and clinical research that inform the model. The clear writing style and detailed examples make complex social processes accessible, demonstrating how good practice is—and must be—equitable and socially responsible. This practical guide is essential reading for all mental health professionals, such as seasoned family therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and students in training in these fields.




Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy


Book Description

This path-breaking volume introduces Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy for clinical work with troubled couples. Practice-focused and engaging, it integrates real-world knowledge of the intersections of gender, culture, power, and identity in relationships with empirical findings on the neurobiology of attraction. Case examples detail the process of therapists in the moment as they develop both their clinical skills and their understanding of the social contexts fueling couples' difficulties. Applications of the method, which can be used with same-sex couples as well as heterosexual ones, are shown in addressing infidelity, tapping into partners' spirituality, and modeling and encouraging mutual respect and support. Among the topics covered: Undoing gendered power in heterosexual couple relationships. Interpersonal neurobiology, couples, and the societal context. How gender discourses hijack couple therapy—and how it can be avoided. How SERT therapists develop interventions that address the larger context. Building a circle of care in same-sex couple relationships. Couple therapy with adult survivors of child abuse: gender, power, and trust. Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy opens out practical new possibilities for marriage and family therapists, clinical psychologists, social workers, and counselors seeking ideas for more meaningful couples work.




Asian American Identities, Relationships, and Post-Migration Legacies


Book Description

Bringing together the personal and professional narratives of Asian American family therapists, this book offers insight into the Asian American experience through systemic theory and frameworks, individual and community stories, and clinical considerations. The Asian American experience is still a largely invisible and unknown one, especially in the field of marriage and family therapy. With a contextual lens, this book highlights how understanding family migration legacies and individual generational status relative to time, place, and context is critical to doing meaningful work with Asian Americans. Filled with thought-provoking case studies and reflective questions, chapters discuss the impact of stereotyping on mental health; the historical and present ways that Asian American racialization invisibilizes individual and collective experiences; shame associated with bicultural identity, gender, generational trauma, media representations; and more. Each chapter bridges these ideas to clinical practice while concurrently centering the voices and experiences of Asian American therapists. This book is essential reading for marriage and family therapists and other mental health clinicians who want to deepen their understanding of, relationship with, and clinical support for the Asian Americans in their lives, whether friends, colleagues, supervisees, or clients.




Helping Couples Change


Book Description

Now available in paper for the first time, this classic work presents a structured, rigorously tested, six-stage strategy for improving intimate relationships. Therapists and counselors will benefit from practical, step-by-step guidance for deciding how, why, and when to employ such widely cited Stuart techniques as "caring days," communication improvements, behavioral contracting, the "powergram" procedure for decision making, and conflict containment. These techniques not only provide a program for identifying and producing positive behavior change, but give the therapist the tools to assess therapeutic outcome and empirically validate the efficacy of change. A new preface to the paperback edition situates the book within the contemporary couple therapy landscape and reflects on the continuing evolution of the author's approach.




Couples Counseling


Book Description

Are you struggling to communicate effectively with your partner? Do you feel like your relationship is stuck in a cycle of conflict and misunderstanding? Couples counseling can be a powerful tool for healing relationships, rebuilding trust, and creating stronger emotional connections. But you can change that! If you want to learn how to foster healthy communication and resolve conflicts, then you need to read this book! With this comprehensive guide, you'll learn evidence-based techniques for couples therapy that will help you improve your relationship dynamics and understand each other better. Here is a peek at what you will learn with Couples Counseling: Techniques for rebuilding trust and improving communication in couple relationships. Step-by-step strategies to resolve conflict and foster a deeper emotional connection. Guidance for creating a healthy, loving marriage using therapeutic principles. Methods for integrating behavioral approaches to enhance relationship satisfaction. Best practices for engaging in weekly counseling sessions to continually improve your relationship. Whether Couples counseling is essential for couples looking to improve their relationship through focused therapy techniques; this workbook offers practical steps to rebuild trust and enhance communication, making it a must-read for any couple seeking guided healing and emotional growth. Couples Counseling offers a step-by-step guide with this workbook to improve communication and rebuild trust, helping couples navigate marriage and relationships with evidence-based therapy techniques, while addressing conflict and enhancing emotional connections with the best approaches from experienced therapists. Rekindle your connection and transform your relationship with these key topics: Comprehensive Guide - A complete resource for emotionally focused therapy for couples, perfect for those new to therapy or experienced therapists. Healing Relationships - Learn how to heal from past hurts and foster a supportive, loving environment. Conflict Resolution - Discover strategies to solve conflicts constructively and build a stronger relationship. Empathy and Understanding - Gain insights into your partner's feelings and learn to respond with compassion. Practical Exercises - Apply learning through practical exercises and workbooks tailored for couples therapy. Improving Communication Strategies - Discover effective techniques for couples counseling that enhance communication and reduce misunderstandings in your relationship. Rebuilding Trust and Intimacy - Learn how to heal emotional wounds and rebuild intimacy using evidence-based couples therapy methods included in this comprehensive workbook. Conflict Resolution Techniques - Utilize practical exercises from established books and workbooks to manage and resolve conflicts constructively, fostering a more supportive and loving relationship. Couples counseling can work wonders for guiding couples through the complexities of their relationship, providing them with therapy techniques and workbooks that focus on rebuilding trust, improving communication, and fostering emotional healing to create a healthier and more loving marriage. Start your journey towards a healthier and happier relationship today with this essential guide to couples counseling. Grab your copy and invest in your future together!




Imago Relationship Therapy


Book Description

Imago Relationship Therapy It's been more than three decades since Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt—the best-selling authors of Getting the Love You Want and Keeping the Love You Find—created Imago Relationship Therapy. Their concept of the "conscious marriage" introduced a new paradigm for understanding the dynamics of couples. Since that time more than two thousand clinicians in twenty-eight countries have adopted and implemented this highly effective form of couples therapy. This groundbreaking book offers an overview of the highly successful Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) and the relationship of IRT with preceding schools of thought such as psychoanalytic theory, family systems theories, affect theory, and self-psychology. At the heart of IRT is a three-step process involving mirroring (reflecting) the partner's feelings, validating the partner's point of view, and expressing empathy toward the partner's feelings. Imago Relationship Therapy traces IRT's history and explosive growth and outlines the differences and similarities between Imago theory and other models of couples therapy. The book also presents some of the ideas of prominent Imago thinkers, such as the central role of connectivity and the problem of envy in committed relationships. "A uniquely important book for the practitioner, which provides clinical wisdom and a rare look into the heart and soul of Imago Relationship Therapy." —Pat Love, Ed.D., author, The Truth About Love




Guide to Relational Therapy


Book Description

In this guide to relational therapy for clinicians, patients, and self-helpers, Codrin Stefan Tapu presents the main features of relational therapy from a very practical perspective. This concise volume represents a step-by-step guide that, if followed, can allow a proper course to relationship improvement, from families to organizations.




Couples, Gender, and Power


Book Description

"[A] comprehensive, critical, empirical, and practical compilation of investigations about how diverse couples are trying to implement change and pursue equality in their relationships." -Katherine R. Allen, PhD Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University "[A] true gift to couple researchÖ.The studies reported in this marvelously disciplined collection hold living implications for couples and their therapists." -Evan Imber-Black Director, Center for Families and Health, Ackerman Institute for the Family While numerous couples strive for equality in their relationships, many are unaware of the insidious ways in which gender and power still affect them-from their career choices to communication patterns, child-rearing, housework, and more. Written for mental health professionals and others interested in contemporary couple relationships, this research-based book shows how couples are able to move beyond the dangers of gendered inequality and the legacy of hidden male power. The book analyzes the relationships of couples from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The contributors present innovative clinical interventions, and suggest strategies therapists can use to help couples transform their relationships from being gender-based to equality-based. Explores these key issues: The risks of being in a relationship ruled by "gender legacy" behavior The differences between couples who get caught in gender legacy patterns and those who do not Gender-based patterns across the life cycle, including newly formed couples; early marriage; child-rearing; mothering and fathering Gendered power in couples dealing with illness; ethnic and racial differences; immigration and displacement issues




Emotionally Focused Therapy Workbook for Couples


Book Description

Emotionally Focused Workbook for Couples: A 52-Week Workbook to Deepen Bond and Rediscover Love Emotionally Focused Therapy activities for couples Rediscover the Essence of Love, Week by Week. Every relationship deserves a chance to flourish, to experience the highs of emotional bonding, and to find solace in each other's arms. Introducing a 52-week journey that's meticulously crafted for couples seeking to fortify their bond, revive their passion, and embrace a deeper understanding of one another. Features of This Comprehensive Workbook: A Year of Emotional Exploration: Engage in a structured, week-by-week roadmap, designed to address various facets of love, commitment, trust, and mutual growth. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) at Its Best: A pioneering approach in couples therapy, EFT principles guide every exercise, ensuring each activity is rooted in proven therapeutic methodologies. Reignite the Spark: Traverse this journey to not only revisit the foundational pillars of your relationship but to fan the flames of passion, reminding you both why you fell in love in the first place. Reflective Journaling Spaces: Every section provides ample space for you to jot down your feelings, epiphanies, and the cherished moments that become milestones in your love journey. Bonding Exercises and Activities: Dive deep into specially curated activities that challenge, inspire, and bring couples closer than ever before. The "Emotionally Focused Workbook for Couples" isn't just another relationship guide. It's a voyage, a dedication to the sanctity of love and the promises made. As weeks unfold, find yourselves more attuned, more in love, and more connected. Key Points: "52-week couples therapy workbook" - A comprehensive guide providing weekly exercises for couples to enhance their communication, understanding, and relationship. "Emotionally Focused Therapy activities for couples" - Activities based on EFT principles to help couples better understand their emotions, improve emotional intelligence, and foster a deeper emotional connection. "Workbook for rediscovering love in marriage" - A practical guide that helps couples reignite the passion and love in their marriage through various exercises and activities. "Year-long relationship building exercises for couples" - A series of exercises specifically designed to strengthen the bond between couples over the course of a year. "EFT principles in couples bonding journey" - The application of Emotionally Focused Therapy principles in helping couples navigate their relationship, fostering greater emotional bonding. "Guided journal for couples to strengthen bond" - A journal with guided prompts aimed at facilitating open communication, understanding, and strengthening the bond between couples. "Yearly relationship roadmap for deepening love" - A step-by-step guide for couples, providing a roadmap to deepen their love and intimacy over a year through various activities and exercises. Take the first step towards a profound journey of love and understanding. Because your love story deserves to be celebrated, cherished, and deeply felt.




Marriage and Family Therapy


Book Description

Marriage and Family Therapy: A Sociocognitive Approach is a comprehensive and clearly written introduction to sociocognitive therapy. It is rich with transcripts and case examples, culled from the authors’more than thirty-five years of practice, providing you with valuable background information on helping difficult-to-reach and hard-to-help populations. In practical language, this volume takes you step-by-step through methods of assessment and change that are useful in traditional and nontraditional families and couples. With clear language and taxonomy for family troubles and their resolution, Marriage and Family Therapy provides conceptual handles to guide you in learning intervention strategies, enabling you to work effectively with, most notably, lower working-class and poor inner-city, African-American families. A highlight of the book is the detailed look at terminal and instrumental interaction hypotheses and how they can be applied in actual therapy situations. With Marriage and Family Therapy as a guide, you will develop multiple skills and methods that equip you to better handle the challenging task of helping troubled families and couples.The first two chapters present the theoretical framework of the sociocognitive approach. In the third chapter, the assessment and change concepts central to Dr. Hurvitz's approach are introduced. The last four chapters show how these humanist principles are applied through the phases of opening, change-producing, and termination in therapy, creating an invaluable book for marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychologists, and educators.