Couple Therapy

Evidence-based couple therapy for chronic illnesses: Enriching the emotional quality of relationships with emotionally focused therapy.

by Nilufer Kafescioglu

Chawla, N., & Kafescioglu, N. (2012). Evidence-based couple therapy for chronic illnesses: Enriching the emotional quality of relationships with emotionally focused therapy. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 23, 42-53.

Chronic illness affects couples’ relationship dynamics as well as individual functioning. A chronic illness may... more Chronic illness affects couples’ relationship dynamics as well as individual functioning. A chronic illness may present a significant amount of stress for both the patient and partner. In this paper, we discuss the application of an empirically supported couples’ therapy approach, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) to address relationship distress and individual functioning in the context of chronic illness. In two case examples, we show how couples can learn to enrich the emotional quality of their relationship, express their inner most feelings of fear, sadness, and loneliness to each other to expand their emotional experiences, and meet each others’ needs for safety, comfort, and security despite the limitations and challenges presented by chronic illnesses.

Dyadic and mediation analyses of coping with cardiovascular disease.

by Nilufer Kafescioglu

Kafescioglu, N., Thomas, V., & Shields, C. (2010). Dyadic and mediation analyses of coping with cardiovascular disease. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences Journal, 5, 216-220.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between attachment security and health outcomes of... more The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between attachment security and health outcomes of cardiac patients and their spouses. Dyadic coping and relationship quality were proposed to mediate this relationship. Participants were 72 couples in which one member of the couple was participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Results showed that participants with higher attachment avoidance perceived their general and mental health worse and were less likely to exercise. Patients with higher attachment avoidance perceived their partner as less supportive and this was negatively associated with their general and mental health. Spouses’ positive support and marital happiness partially mediated the relationship between their attachment anxiety and mental health. Patients with spouses with higher attachment anxiety exercised more; whereas spouses of patients with higher attachment anxiety exercised less.

review study on marriage and relationship research in Turkey

by Sevgi Guney

Revisiting the Sexual Genogram

by Christopher K. Belous

Co-authored with Tina Timm, PhD, Grace Chee, MSW & Michael Whitehead, MS

In Press (2011) at the American Journal of Family Therapy

The sexual genogram is an essential tool for assessing both transgenerational and current issues regarding sexuality.... more The sexual genogram is an essential tool for assessing both transgenerational and current issues regarding sexuality. While the original article on constructing a sexual genogram is comprehensive (Hof & Berman, 1986), not much has been written about it since that time. On the 25th anniversary of the sexual genogram, we wanted to revisit it with an eye on contemporary sexual issues. Several updates are suggested, including comprehensive, inclusive questions to elicit information about the diversity of gender expression, sexual orientation and sexual communication. Additionally, we encourage the use of the sexual genogram in all forms of treatment (individual and couple), as well as integrating a sexual timeline to understand sexual development over the course of the client’s lifetime.

Intimacy, sexual desire and differentiation in couplehood: A theoretical and methodological review

by Luana Cunha Ferreira

Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, Volume 38, Issue 3, Page 263-280, May-June 2012.

Co-Authors: Isabel narciso & Rosa Ferreira Novo

The scientific community underlines that one of the main challenges for couples is the effect of time on sexual... more The scientific community underlines that one of the main challenges for couples is the effect of time on sexual desire. Some studies suggest that although some dimensions associated with intimacy tend to increase during the relationship, sexual desire and the related constructs tend to decrease. Some researchers have recently suggested that couples’ relationships with high degrees of sharing and fusion might be particularly detrimental for the sustenance of sexual desire. However, the authors found no empirical or theoretical studies that investigate the relations between intimacy and desire. Recovering the concept of differentiation as a possible influencing variable between intimacy and desire, this article develops reflections on this theme, which is of paramount relevance for the couple viability.

"Suis-je un homme avec toi?" : l'illusion conjugale à l'épreuve du handicap physique

by Christophe Janssen

Co-authored with Anne-Laurence COOPMAN, published in Champ PSY, 2011/3, 59.

David est tétraplégique. Dans un premier temps, il refuse l’aide psychologique qui lui est proposée. Nous verrons en... more David est tétraplégique. Dans un premier temps, il refuse l’aide psychologique qui lui est proposée. Nous verrons en quoi cette atteinte brutale du corps se répercute sur le fonctionnement psychique et porte atteinte au narcissisme. C’est plusieurs mois plus tard qu’il viendra en consultation non pas pour les difficultés inhérentes à son handicap mais bien pour les questions qu’il se pose par rapport à son couple. L’aime-t-il encore ? Pourquoi en désire-t-il une autre ? Elle qui fait tant de choses pour lui… trop peut-être. Les auteurs se proposent d’envisager le handicap, à la lumière de ce cas clinique, comme un redoublement dans le corps de difficultés psychiques préalables à l’événement traumatique. Une forme de dépendance réelle conduirait la personne à faire l’expérience dans la réalité de ce qui, jusque là, s’actualisait à bas bruit, guidé par le fantasme. A travers l’histoire de David, mais aussi par quelques explorations théoriques, les auteurs s’intéresseront au processus en jeu dans le lien de couple et à la perturbation de l’illusion conjugale que provoque l’atteinte du corps.

Common Issues In Marriage Counseling

by Daniel Keeran MSW

by Daniel Keeran, MSW, RMHC-S

Practical approaches are presented to addressing problems of infidelity, time spent together, physical abuse, sexual... more Practical approaches are presented to addressing problems of infidelity, time spent together, physical abuse, sexual intimacy, sharing household duties, child care, finances, and more.

This paper is adapted from a chapter on Couple Counseling Strategies in the course text "Effective Counseling Skills" by the author published for the College of Mental Health Counseling.

ORT & Interventions in Couple's therapy

by Alan MacKenzie

Drafted in July 2005

OR theory offers the therapist a window into the “inner world” of
mental representations, how one represents,... more OR theory offers the therapist a window into the “inner world” of
mental representations, how one represents, perceives and
understands their world and their relationship in it, that enables a
counsellor to explore the client’s behaviour and motivations (deepest unmet needs/longings). Such past representations seem to serve as emotional filters; colouring and shaping current intrapsychic perceptions and interpsychic relationships. Such relationsal perceptions best serve the therapeutic alliance and offer the analyst & analysands insights into what drives the couple’s relationship.

Constructions of Difference Among Latino/Latina Immigrant and Non-Hispanic White Couples

by Gonzalo Bacigalupe

Chapter in T.A.Karis & K.D.Killian (2009). Intercultural couples: Exploring diversity in intimate relationships

Riding on a train, I [RLQ] overhear a middle-aged Spanish speaking woman telling another sitting next to her that she... more Riding on a train, I [RLQ] overhear a middle-aged Spanish speaking woman telling another sitting next to her that she should discourage her son from dating an American woman. “They have another culture. They don’t believe in family like we do.” What differences are implied in this statement? What is the prevailing discourse about these differences and what dynamics result from them? Given the persistent trend of high rates of intermarriage among Latinos, are there alternative discourses of resiliency that can be learned from those who dare to go contra la corriente, against the current (Andrews, 2003; Bacigalupe, 2003)? In this chapter, we explore emergent themes in Latino–Anglo intermarriage regarding perceived intercultural dierences. Intercultural differences are explored by looking at specific factors such as courtship patterns; ideas about family, language, and communications styles; and how couples make meaning about their dierences. The values attributed to intercultural differences are often negotiated against the backdrop of the dominant culture and the current social and political contexts from which these differences emerge.

Intercultural Therapy With Latino Immigrants and White Partners

by Gonzalo Bacigalupe

"Couple et interdisciplinarité : les rencontres du différent" in Collart P. (dir.) Rencontre avec les différences : entre sexes, sciences et cultures, Louvain-la-Neuve, Academia-Bruylant

by Christophe Janssen

Co-authored with P. De Neuter, N. Frogneux, F. Bartiaux

Le travail inter-disciplinaire, comme chacun le sait, est un exercice difficile, voire périlleux. Mais aussi, il... more Le travail inter-disciplinaire, comme chacun le sait, est un exercice difficile, voire périlleux. Mais aussi, il constitue potentiellement une source d’enrichissement réciproque, l’occasion de rencontres, de découvertes, l’élargissement de nos connaissance en même temps qu’un affinement du rapport que nous entretenons avec notre propre discipline. Ces difficultés, mais également ces apports humains et intellectuels, les auteurs eux-mêmes ont pu les éprouver au moment de rédiger cette communication.
Les questions posées sont les suivantes : comment comprendre les difficultés majeures rencontrées lorsqu’il s’agit de travailler à plusieurs, d’horizons – et d’identités – divers ? Quelles sont les conditions favorables à la mise en place d’un tel travail ? Nous évoquerons la menace d’anéantissement du soi et du groupe générées par ce travail avec les différences. Nous expliciterons ensuite l’idée d’une réflexion épistémologique préalable et nécessaire au travail interdisciplinaire. Enfin, les auteurs vous proposeront un modèle explicitant divers axes qui nous permettent de situer et de comprendre la possibilité ou l’échec de la rencontre de l’autre et des autres.
Tout au long de l’exposé, il vous sera également donné de penser quelques liens entre le travail interdisciplinaire et ce qui se joue au niveau du couple.