Brief Therapy for Couples (Treatment Manuals for Practitioners)

by HALFORD (Author)

New
Paperback
2003
$42.15

This book presents a flexible, evidence-based framework for treating couples effectively in as few as one or two (and as many as 25) sessions of highly focused therapeutic work. Providing step-by-step guidelines for assessment and intervention, Halford shows how to rapidly negotiate relationship goals and therapy structure, establish and maintain therapeutic momentum, deal with setbacks and destructive arguments, and more. The focus is on helping each partner acquire the skills to modify his or her individual behavior in the service of joint relationship goals. In its briefest form, the therapy comprises a collaborative approach to assessment that develops the couple's commitment to self-guided change. Some couples can then proceed with minimal further input from the clinician, while others may benefit from additional sessions of relationship psychoeducation or more traditional therapist-guided change. The book includes sample client handouts and forms addressing such practical areas as self-evaluation of communication skills, problem solving, and conflict management.

Synopsis

This book presents a flexible, evidence-based framework for treating couples effectively in as few as one or two (and as many as 25) sessions of highly focused therapeutic work. Providing step-by-step guidelines for assessment and intervention, Halford shows how to rapidly negotiate relationship goals and therapy structure, establish and maintain therapeutic momentum, deal with setbacks and destructive arguments, and more. The focus is on helping each partner acquire the skills to modify his or her individual behavior in the service of joint relationship goals. In its briefest form, the therapy comprises a collaborative approach to assessment that develops the couple's commitment to self-guided change. Some couples can then proceed with minimal further input from the clinician, while others may benefit from additional sessions of relationship psychoeducation or more traditional therapist-guided change. The book includes sample client handouts and forms addressing such practical areas as self-evaluation of communication skills, problem solving, and conflict management.

$42.15

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Publisher: Guilford Publications
Published: 30 Oct 2003
ISBN 10: 1572309717
ISBN 13: 9781572309715

Media Reviews

This book is exciting and stimulating, providing a great example of the combination of science and practice that characterizes good therapy. With his new approach, self-regulatory couple therapy, Halford has successfully expanded upon traditional behavioral marital therapy. Building on the resources of each partner, couples are empowered to define and build the sort of relationship they want. The book is remarkably systematic and clear and features rich clinical examples. Rather than being a cookbook, it encourages the creative application of general principles to the unique problems of each couple. This is a highly valuable text for novice and experienced therapists alike. --Professor Dr. Kurt Hahlweg, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany

This is among the most helpful guides to couple therapy that I have come across in quite some time. It will be valuable to researchers, clinicians, graduate-level instructors, and students as it offers a rare blend of sound clinical advice, a strong empirical foundation, and a 'how to' primer. Halford provides a bridge between where the field of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy has been and where it needs to go. Thus, while self-regulatory couple therapy is a new approach, it does not require a leap of faith from techniques that are already tried and true. Brief Therapy for Couples is a compelling read for those of us treating couples for whom traditional cognitive-behavioral techniques fall short. I enthusiastically recommend this book. --Tamara Goldman Sher, PhD, Institute of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology

Reading this book made me want to put Halford's ideas into immediate use in my own clinical work. Especially useful is the emphasis on the ability of individuals to bring about their own changes. The book packs a wallop by challenging whether long-term interventions are really needed for many couples. It also offers an excellent review of the couple therapy literature, written in a clear, practical fashion. I will highly recommend this book to graduate students and practicing therapists. --K. Daniel O'Leary, PhD, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Author Bio

W. Kim Halford, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University, in Brisbane, Australia. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Latrobe University in Melbourne, Australia in 1978. Over the last 15 years, Dr. Halford's practice, clinical research, and publications have focused predominantly on work with couples. He has presented clinical workshops on his approach to couple therapy in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and North America.