Handbook of Marital Therapy: A Positive Approach to Helping Troubled Relationships

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. General Guidelines and Principles

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 1-11

3. Getting Started

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 13-47

4. Planning Recreational and Leisure Time

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 49-61

5. Communicating: Awareness of Reciprocity

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 63-87

6. Communicating: The Arts of Listening and Effectively Expressing Feelings

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 89-156

7. Giving and Getting: Marital Contracts

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 157-180

8. Ending

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 181-195

9. Solving Special Problems

   • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

   Pages 197-213

10. Summary

    • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

    Pages 215-223

11. Suggested Session Outlines for Marital Therapy

    • Robert P. Liberman, Eugenie G. Wheeler, Louis A. J. M. de Visser, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

    Pages 225-237

12. Back Matter

    Pages 239-262

    PDF

In the treatment of marital problems, behaviorally oriented and com­ munication oriented approaches have been in conflict and seen as con­ trasting and unlikely bed partners. Many therapists, focusing on com­ munication skills, have felt that behaviorists were too structured and uncaring; on the other hand, behaviorists have considered humanistic therapists as being "touchy-feely," vague, and unfocused. However, in the Handbook of Marital Therapy, Liberman, Wheeler, de Visser, and the Kuehnels have wedded these two potent approaches into an inte­ grated framework that makes them loving bed partners. With over a decade of experience in applying behaviorally ori­ ented treatment to couples, Liberman and his co-authors have devel­ oped an educational model that focuses on teaching specific commu­ nication skills to couples. The communication skills they describe have been used extensively in all types of marital therapy, regardless of the therapist's theoretical orientation. The unique contribution of this book is that the authors provide a step-by-step approach to teaching these communication skills within a behavioral framework. Each chapter guides the therapist through the many issues and problems confronting him or her as a change agent. This highly readable book is enhanced by a liberal use of case exam­ ples. Emphasis is given to homework and structured sessions that focus on increasing specific communication skills in a sequential manner. The advantages of working with couples in a group setting are dis­ cussed, and concrete suggestions on how to manage these groups are clearly presented.

• Focusing
• Suggestion
• communication
• conflict
• feeling
• therapy

• University of California, Los Angeles, USA

  Robert P. Liberman, Julie Kuehnel, Timothy Kuehnel

• Camarillo State Hospital, Camarillo, USA

  Robert P. Liberman, Timothy Kuehnel

• Oxnard Community Mental Health Center, Oxnard, USA

  Eugenie G. Wheeler

• Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA

  Louis A. J. M. Visser

• Santa Clara High School, Oxnard, USA

  Louis A. J. M. Visser

• California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, USA

  Julie Kuehnel

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