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Alternatives to Couples Therapy: Exploring Paths to Relationship Repair and Growth
Author: Dr. Emily Carter, PhD, LMFT
Dr. Emily Carter is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 15 years of experience working with couples facing relationship challenges. She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has published extensively on relationship dynamics and alternative approaches to relationship counseling. Her expertise lies in integrating various therapeutic modalities and helping couples find the best approach for their specific needs.
Publisher: Relationship Dynamics Press, a leading publisher specializing in relationship health and well-being. They are known for their commitment to evidence-based practices and their wide range of resources for both professionals and individuals seeking information on relationship improvement.
Editor: Dr. Alex Johnson, PsyD, a renowned expert in relational psychology and the author of several bestselling books on improving communication and conflict resolution in relationships.
Keywords: alternatives to couples therapy, relationship repair, relationship coaching, individual therapy, mediation, communication workshops, self-help resources, relationship books, improving communication, conflict resolution, relationship growth
Introduction:
Many couples seeking help for relationship difficulties consider couples therapy as the primary solution. However, couples therapy isn't the only avenue for resolving conflict and fostering a stronger bond. This article explores a comprehensive range of alternatives to couples therapy, providing insights into their effectiveness and suitability for different situations. Understanding these alternatives to couples therapy can empower couples to choose the approach that best aligns with their needs and preferences.
H1: Why Consider Alternatives to Couples Therapy?
While couples therapy is highly effective for many, it might not be the ideal solution for everyone. Some couples might find the cost prohibitive, experience scheduling conflicts, feel uncomfortable sharing intimate details with a therapist, or prefer a more self-directed approach. Others may find that the underlying issues stem from individual struggles rather than solely from the relationship dynamic. Considering alternatives to couples therapy allows couples to explore a broader spectrum of options tailored to their unique circumstances.
H2: Exploring Individual Therapy as an Alternative to Couples Therapy
Individual therapy can be a powerful alternative to couples therapy, particularly when underlying individual issues, such as anxiety, depression, or past trauma, significantly impact the relationship. By addressing individual emotional and psychological needs, individual therapy can indirectly strengthen the relationship. Working on self-awareness and improving coping mechanisms can lead to healthier communication and conflict resolution within the partnership.
H3: Relationship Coaching: A Supportive Guide
Relationship coaching provides guidance and support without the formal therapeutic framework. Coaches focus on practical strategies and skill-building to improve communication, conflict resolution, and overall relationship satisfaction. This alternative to couples therapy is particularly appealing to couples who prefer a more directive and goal-oriented approach. Coaches can provide customized plans and accountability, helping couples develop a roadmap for positive change.
H4: Mediation for Conflict Resolution:
For couples facing significant conflict, mediation offers a structured approach to resolving disputes. A neutral third party guides the discussion, facilitating communication and helping couples reach mutually agreeable solutions. This alternative to couples therapy is particularly effective when legal or financial issues are entangled with relationship challenges. Mediation focuses on practical outcomes rather than delving deeply into emotional dynamics.
H5: Communication Workshops and Self-Help Resources:
Numerous communication workshops and self-help resources offer practical tools and techniques for improving relationship dynamics. These alternatives to couples therapy provide accessible and affordable options for couples seeking to enhance their communication skills, learn conflict resolution strategies, and foster greater understanding. Books, online courses, and workshops can be valuable supplements or even alternatives to formal therapy.
H6: Retreats and Workshops Focused on Relationship Enhancement:
Intensive relationship retreats and workshops provide a dedicated space for couples to focus on their connection. These experiences often involve guided exercises, group discussions, and individual reflection, creating opportunities for deeper understanding and bonding. These alternatives to couples therapy provide a structured environment for growth and can be particularly effective for couples who benefit from immersive experiences and structured activities.
H7: Spiritual or Religious Counseling:
For couples with shared spiritual or religious beliefs, spiritual or religious counseling can provide valuable support. This alternative to couples therapy integrates faith-based principles and practices into relationship guidance, offering a unique perspective on conflict resolution, forgiveness, and building a stronger connection based on shared values.
H8: The Role of Preemptive Strategies:
Proactive measures, such as regular date nights, open communication practices, and seeking guidance during challenging periods before significant conflict arises, can often prevent the need for more intensive interventions like couples therapy. Investing in proactive strategies can be considered a vital alternative to couples therapy, as it promotes ongoing relationship health and prevents small issues from escalating.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right path to relationship improvement depends on individual circumstances, needs, and preferences. While couples therapy remains a valuable option, exploring the various alternatives to couples therapy – from individual therapy and relationship coaching to mediation and self-help resources – expands the possibilities for couples seeking to strengthen their bond and navigate relationship challenges effectively. By carefully considering their options, couples can find the approach that best fits their unique situation and leads to lasting positive change.
FAQs:
1. Is individual therapy always necessary before couples therapy? Not always. Individual therapy can be helpful, but it's not a prerequisite for couples therapy. The decision depends on the specific issues at hand.
2. How do I choose the right type of relationship coaching? Look for coaches with relevant experience and training, positive client reviews, and a clear approach aligned with your goals.
3. Are self-help books and workshops effective alternatives to couples therapy? They can be helpful supplements, providing tools and techniques, but they might not address deep-seated issues as effectively as professional therapy.
4. How much does mediation usually cost? Costs vary depending on the mediator's experience and the complexity of the issues.
5. Is spiritual counseling appropriate for all couples? No, it's most suitable for couples who share similar spiritual or religious beliefs and find comfort in a faith-based framework.
6. How often should couples engage in proactive relationship strategies? Regular date nights, open communication, and check-ins should be ongoing practices, not just occasional events.
7. Can I combine different alternatives to couples therapy? Absolutely. A tailored approach might involve elements of individual therapy, coaching, and self-help resources.
8. When is it time to consider couples therapy, even after trying alternatives? If alternative approaches fail to address significant issues or create lasting change, couples therapy can provide deeper insight and professional guidance.
9. What if my partner refuses to participate in any of these alternatives? This situation necessitates individual reflection on your own needs and boundaries, possibly including individual therapy to navigate this challenge.
Related Articles:
1. "The Power of Individual Therapy for Relationship Improvement": Explores the indirect benefits of individual therapy on relationship dynamics.
2. "Choosing the Right Relationship Coach: A Comprehensive Guide": Provides tips and advice on selecting a qualified and effective relationship coach.
3. "Mediation for Couples: A Peaceful Path to Resolution": Details the process and benefits of mediation for conflict resolution in relationships.
4. "Unlocking Effective Communication: Practical Strategies for Couples": Offers concrete techniques for improving communication skills within a relationship.
5. "Self-Help Resources for Couples: A curated List": Reviews and recommends various self-help books, workshops, and online resources for couples.
6. "Relationship Retreats: Investing in Your Connection": Discusses the benefits and types of relationship retreats designed for couples' growth.
7. "The Role of Spirituality in Relationship Healing": Explores the integration of faith-based principles into relationship counseling.
8. "Building a Strong Foundation: Preemptive Strategies for Relationship Success": Outlines proactive measures couples can take to prevent future conflict.
9. "Navigating Relationship Challenges When Your Partner Refuses Help": Offers guidance for individuals facing this difficult situation.
| alternatives to couples therapy: What about Me? Jane Greer, 2010 Selfishness and entitlement have never been more prevalent. What About Me? will help readers discover what role selfishness is playing in their relationship while helping them better understand what drives their partner to behave selfishly. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling Everett L. Worthington Jr., 2013-02-04 Everett L. Worthington Jr. offers a comprehensive manual for assisting couples over common rough spots and through serious problems in a manner that is compassionate, effective and brief. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: I Do! Jim Walkup, 2019-04-16 Strengthen Your Bond, Strengthen Your Marriage Planning a meaningful wedding is important. Planning for a happy and satisfying marriage is critical. Through in-depth, thought-provoking exercises, I Do! A Marriage Workbook for Engaged Couples helps prospective partners grow their love and solidify their partnership as they prepare to walk down the aisle together. From money to intimacy, this marriage workbook helps you dig deep into your relationship over the course of 7 chapters--each focusing on a different part of married life. Gain insight into each other and discover ways to feel closer before you finally and happily say, I do! I Do! A Marriage Workbook for Engaged Couples includes: LOVE, SEX, AND MONEY--Prepare for married life by exploring and sharing your feelings on communication, money, intimacy, children, beliefs and values, family and friends, and work. IN-DEPTH EXERCISES--Learn more about your partner through various exercises, including writing prompts, true/false questionnaires, worksheets, partner discussions, and more. TOOLS TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL--Use this marriage workbook's exercises as springboards for a deeper exploration into your relationship. Deepen your connection and prepare for your marriage with I Do! A Marriage Workbook for Engaged Couples. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy For Dummies Brent Bradley, James Furrow, 2013-07-15 A practical, down-to-earth guide to using the world's most successful approach to couple therapy One of the most successful therapeutic approaches to healing dysfunctional relationships, emotionally focused couple therapy provides clients with powerful insights into how and why they may be suppressing their emotions and teaches them practical ways to deal with those feelings more constructively for improved relationships. Unlike cognitive-behavioural therapy, which provides effective short-term coping skills, emotionally focused therapy often is prescribed as a second-stage treatment for couples with lingering emotional difficulties. Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy For Dummies introduces readers to this ground-breaking therapy, offering simple, proven strategies and tools for dealing with problems with bonding, attachment and emotions, the universal cornerstones of healthy relationships. An indispensable resource for readers who would like to manage their relationship problems independently through home study Delivers powerful techniques for dealing with unpleasant emotions, rather than repressing them and for responding constructively to complex relationship issues The perfect introduction to EFT basics for therapists considering expanding their practices to include emotionally focused therapy methods Packed with fascinating and instructive case studies and examples of EFT in action, from the authors' case files Provides valuable guidance on finding, selecting and working with the right EFT certified therapist |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Good Marriage: How and Why Love Lasts Judith Wallerstein, 2019-08-09 When it first appeared in 1995, The Good Marriage became a best-seller. It offers timeless clues to the secret of happy, long-lasting marriages. Based on a groundbreaking study of fifty couples who consider themselves happily married, psychologist Judith Wallerstein presents the four basic types of marriage — romantic, rescue, companionate, and traditional — and identifies nine developmental tasks that must be successfully undertaken in a “good marriage” — separation from the family of origin, up-and-down vicissitudes of early years, children, balance of work and home, dealing with infidelities, and more. The men and women Wallerstein interviewed readily admit that even the best relationship requires hard work and continuing negotiation, especially in the midst of societal pressures that can tear marriages apart. But they also convey an inspirational message, for almost all of them feel that their marriage is their single greatest accomplishment. The Good Marriage explains why, and its lively mix of storytelling and analysis will challenge every couple to think in a profoundly different way about the most important relationship in their lives. “Should be required reading for all who are interested in marriage.” — W. Walter Menninger “Should prove a lifesaver for many couples.” — Publishers Weekly “Will enrich the sparse literature on happy marriages.” — USA Today “One of the nice things about The Good Marriage is its modesty. It doesn’t pretend to offer a philosophy or even a lecture on marriage. It takes no position on the ideologically charged issues of women’s marital roles and status. Equally important, it ignores the two most common ways of talking about marriage — as a contract negotiated between two equal parties and as the pathway to individual fulfillment. For this reason it is refreshingly free of ‘rights’ talk and therapy talk. Indeed, Wallerstein places much more emphasis on the development of good judgment and a moral sense than on the acquisition of effective communication or negotiation skills.” — Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, The Atlantic “A lagniappe to enduring couplehood... The strength of this study is that Ms. Wallerstein, a gifted interviewer, persuades the couples to reveal their interior lives in rich, explicit detail.” — Susan Jacoby, The New York Times Book Review “Written in a masterful style that often reads like the best popular fiction... Wallerstein and Blakeslee again combine their substantial talents... deftly and entertainingly exploring the foundations of good marriages.” — Tara Aronson, San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle “Groundbreaking.” — Boston Globe “This is a wonderfully readable and immensely valuable book, full of wise and original insights about the many, many roads to marital happiness.” — Judith Viorst “With wisdom, humor, and sympathetic understanding, Judith Wallerstein helps us recognize and rediscover the good marriage... lucid, psychologically sophisticated, and generously wise.” — David Blankenhorn, Newsday “Historically informative as well as profoundly wise psychologically.” — Joan M. Erikson “For a long time, as a Rabbi, I’ve been using The Good Marriage, by the late Judith Wallerstein... in my pre-marital counseling. She provides... amazingly helpful insights [which] open up conversations and lead couples to think much more deeply about what they are getting themselves into — and what they might need to do to keep their marriages strong.” — Rabbi Carl M. Perkins “A welcome addition to the field of literature on contemporary marriage... The style [is] clear, concise, sensitive and, occasionally, personal. Her personal additions... add warmth, emotional consciousness, and greater insight into what makes individuals and couples happy in their relationships. This book has value for the many audiences interested in relational theory that want to approach relationships from a realistic and positive perspective.” — Nancy Williford, Clinical Social Work Journal “In The Good Marriage, Wallerstein’s new study of 50 married couples offers affirmation that the process of marriage itself presents a vehicle for transformation... A best-selling author, Wallerstein employs a thoughtful, nonaggressive style that appeals to the general public. Wallerstein has performed an invaluable service in The Good Marriage.” — Elizabeth M. Tully, M.D., Journal of Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry “Solid... impressive... Those interested in social policy should be pleased that so well-respected a liberal academic as Ms. Wallerstein has written a book that celebrates marriage and points the way toward restructuring it.” — Wall Street Journal “With extraordinary skill and compassion Wallerstein and Blakeslee take us inside the lives of fifty American couples and find that a good marriage still provides the best framework for enduring love and intimacy.” — Sylvia Ann Hewlett “A very appealing book... clearly written and clearly thought out.” — Library Journal “Wallerstein’s major contribution is not about how and why love lasts, but about how and why love develops. It is in such a context, less idyllic, but more realistic, that the book will prove to be a lasting contribution.” — Readings: A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling Jon Carlson, Shannon B. Dermer, 2016-09-15 The SAGE Encyclopedia of Marriage, Family and Couples Counseling is a new, all-encompassing, landmark work for researchers seeking to broaden their knowledge of this vast and diffuse field. Marriage and family counseling programs are established at institutions worldwide, yet there is no current work focused specifically on family therapy. While other works have discussed various methodologies, cases, niche aspects of the field and some broader views of counseling in general, this authoritative Encyclopedia provides readers with a fully comprehensive and accessible reference to aid in understanding the full scope and diversity of theories, approaches, and techniques and how they address various life events within the unique dynamics of families, couples, and related interpersonal relationships. Key topics include: Assessment Communication Coping Diversity Interventions and Techniques Life Events/Transitions Sexuality Work/Life Issues, and more Key features include: More than 500 signed articles written by key figures in the field span four comprehensive volumes Front matter includes a Reader’s Guide that groups related entries thematically Back matter includes a history of the development of the field, a Resource Guide to key associations, websites, and journals, a selected Bibliography of classic publications, and a detailed Index All entries conclude with Further Readings and Cross References to related entries to aid the reader in their research journey |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships John Welwood, 2005-12-27 A nationally known couples therapist reveals the single root cause of all relationship problems—and offers revolutionary advice on what to do about it While most of us have moments of loving freely and openly, it is often hard to sustain this where it matters most—in our intimate relationships. If love is so great and powerful, why are human relationships so challenging and difficult? If love is the source of happiness and joy, why is it so hard to open to it fully and let it govern our lives? In this book, John Welwood addresses these questions and shows us how to overcome the most fundamental obstacle that keeps us from experiencing love's full flowering in our lives. Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships begins by showing how all our relational problems arise out of a universal ‘wound of the heart’ that affects not only our personal relationships but the quality of life in our world as a whole. This core wound shows up as a pervasive mood of unlove—a deep sense that we are not intrinsically lovable just as we are. It shuts down our capacity to trust, so that even though we may hunger for love, we have difficulty opening to it and letting it circulate freely through us. This book takes the reader on a powerful journey of healing and transformation that involves learning to embrace these imperfections—within ourselves and within our relationships—as trail-markers along the path to great love. It sets forth a process for releasing deep-seated grievances we hold against others for not loving us better and against ourselves for not being better loved. And it shows how our longing to be loved can magnetize the great love that will free us from looking to others to find ourselves. Written with penetrating realism and a fresh, lyrical style that honors the subtlety and richness of our relationship to love itself, this revolutionary book offers profound and practical guidance for healing our lives as well as our embattled world. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Couples and Family Therapy in Clinical Practice Ira D. Glick, Douglas S. Rait, Alison M. Heru, Michael Ascher, 2015-10-26 Couples and Family Therapy in Clinical Practice has been the psychiatric and mental health clinician's trusted companion for over four decades. This new fifth edition delivers the essential information that clinicians of all disciplines need to provide effective family-centered interventions for couples and families. A practical clinical guide, it helps clinicians integrate family-systems approaches with pharmacotherapies for individual patients and their families. Couples and Family Therapy in Clinical Practice draws on the authors’ extensive clinical experience as well as on the scientific literature in the family-systems, psychiatry, psychotherapy, and neuroscience fields. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Mindfulness and Acceptance in Couple and Family Therapy Diane R. Gehart, 2012-03-30 This book reviews the research and philosophical foundations for using mindfulness, acceptance, and Buddhist psychology in couple and family therapy. It also provides a detailed and practical approach for putting these ideas into action in the therapy room, including a mindful approach to therapeutic relationships, case conceptualization, treatment planning, teaching meditation, and intervention. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Eight Dates John Gottman, Julie Schwartz Gottman, Doug Abrams, Rachel Carlton Abrams, 2019-02-05 Whether you’re newly together and eager to make it work or a longtime couple looking to strengthen and deepen your bond, Eight Dates offers a program of how, why, and when to have eight basic conversations with your partner that can result in a lifetime of love. “Happily ever after” is not by chance, it’s by choice– the choice each person in a relationship makes to remain open, remain curious, and, most of all, to keep talking to one another. From award-winning marriage researcher and bestselling author Dr. John Gottman and fellow researcher Julie Gottman, Eight Dates offers an ingenious and simple-to-implement approach to effective relationship communication. Here are the subjects that every serious couple should discuss: Trust. Family. Sex and intimacy. Dealing with conflict. Work and money. Dreams, and more. And here is how to talk about them—how to broach subjects that are difficult or embarrassing, how to be brave enough to say what you really feel. There are also suggestions for where and when to go on each date—book your favorite romantic restaurant for the Sex & Intimacy conversation (and maybe go to a yoga or dance class beforehand). There are questionnaires, innovative exercises, real-life case studies, and skills to master, including the Four Skills of Intimate Conversation and the Art of Listening. Because making love last is not about having a certain feeling—it’s about both of you being active and involved. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work John Gottman, PhD, Nan Silver, 2015-05-05 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Over a million copies sold! “An eminently practical guide to an emotionally intelligent—and long-lasting—marriage.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work has revolutionized the way we understand, repair, and strengthen marriages. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else. Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Our Love Is Too Good to Feel So Bad Mira Kirshenbaum, 1998 We just don't know how to make each other happy any more. ''Sex used to be really good. Now it doesn't go right at all. You don't suddenly lose the ability to make scrambled eggs. So why would we forget how to make love? We can't seem to talk without fighting. How did we get into this? I know what we're mad about, but I don't know why things keep making us so mad. Many of us have had experiences like these. Something's wrong--perhaps seriously wrong--but it's a complete mystery why a once-healthy relationship is now in trouble. You're tired of working unproductively on it, you're tired of feeling so confused, and you're tired of solutions that seem complicated and irrelevant. You deserve to know what your real couples problem is and what to do to solve it. This book does something that no book has ever done before. It shows you how to sort through all the pain and confusion in your relationship, put your finger on exactly what's been causing all the troubles, and find the precise way to eliminate them. For the first time, psychotherapist and bestselling author Mira Kirshenbaum has identified ten love killers that cause all the pain and mysterious problems couples get into. By answering simple questions, you'll be able to diagnose your individual case and identify the love killers responsible for your specific problems. We just don't know how to make each other happy any more. ''Sex used to be really good. Now it doesn't go right at all. You don't suddenly lose the ability to make scrambled eggs. So why would we forget how to make love? We can't seem to talk without fighting. How did we get into this? I know what we're mad about, but I don't know why things keep making us so mad. Many of us have had experiences like these. Something's wrong--perhaps seriously wrong--but it's a complete mystery why a once-healthy relationship is now in trouble. You're tired of working unproductively on it, you're tired of feeling so confused, and you're tired of solutions that seem complicated and irrelevant. You deserve to know what your real couples problem is and what to do to solve it. This book does something that no book has ever done before. It shows you how to sort through all the pain and confusion in your relationship, put your finger on exactly what's been causing all the troubles, and find the precise way to eliminate them. For the first time, psychotherapist and bestselling author Mira Kirshenbaum has identified ten love killers that cause all the pain and mysterious problems couples get into. By answering simple questions, you'll be able to diagnose your individual case and identify the love killers responsible for your specific problems. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: How To Save Your Marriage In 3 Simple Steps Lee H Baucom Ph D, Lee H. Baucom, 2013-10 This book presents Lee Baucom's system for saving your marriage in three easy steps: connecting with your spouse, changing yourself, and creating a new path. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Divorce Busting Michele Weiner Davis, 1993-02 A step-by-step approach to making your marriage loving again. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Handbook of Couples Therapy Michele Harway, 2005-01-21 The essential guide to successful couples therapy at every stage ofthe lifecycle A variety of therapeutic interventions can help couples developthe tools for a successful relationship. Yet many practitionersbegin seeing couples without extensive training in couples work. Tofill this gap in their therapeutic repertoires, noted couplestherapist Michele Harway brings together other well-known expertsin marriage and family therapy to offer the Handbook of CouplesTherapy, a comprehensive guide to the study and practice of couplestherapy. The book's chapters provide a variety of perspectives alongdevelopmental, theoretical, and situational lines. Recognizing theneed for clinically proven, evidence-based approaches, chaptersprovide detailed coverage of the most effective treatment modes.Couples at different stages of the lifecycle feature prominently inthe text, as do relevant special issues and treatment approachesfor each stage. Subjects covered include: Premarital counseling from the PAIRS perspective (an extensivecurriculum of interventions for premarital couples) The first years of marital commitment Couples with young children Couples with adolescents Therapy with older couples Same sex couples A variety of theoretical approaches, includingCognitive-Behavioral, Object Relational, Narrative, Integrative,and Feminist and Contextual Special issues and situations, including serious illness,physical aggression, addiction, infidelity, and religious/spiritualcommitments or conflicts Providing a diverse set of treatment approaches suited to workingwith a wide range of adult populations, the Handbook of CouplesTherapy is an essential resource for mental healthprofessionals working with couples. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Alternatives to Domestic Violence Kevin A. Fall, Shareen Howard, 2022-01-07 Alternatives to Domestic Violence, fifth edition, is an interactive treatment workbook designed for use with a wide variety of accepted curricula for intimate partner violence intervention programs. The new edition adds and revises the exercises and stories in every chapter, covering important areas including respect and accountability, maintaining positive relationships, parenting, substance abuse, and sexuality. Innovative chapters explore parenting, religion, communication, and substance abuse, and deepen readers’ understanding of controlling behavior. Chapters incorporate discussion of digital and internet-based abuse, and a new Voice of My Partner exercise has been added to core chapters to encourage group members to explore the impact of their behavior and learn and practice empathy-focused skills. Continuing the tradition of past editions, this edition not only focuses on the content of a good BIPP curriculum, but it also stresses the group process elements that form the backbone of any quality approach. Intimate partner violence group leaders and members will find this workbook to be a vital resource for adopting new strategies to lead a life of cooperation and shared power. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: What Makes Love Last? John Gottman, John Mordechai Gottman, Nan Silver, 2013-09-10 One of the foremost relationship experts at work today offers creative insight on building trust and avoiding betrayal, helping readers to decode the mysteries of healthy love and relationships-- |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy: A Therapist's Guide to Creating Acceptance and Change, Second Edition Andrew Christensen, Brian D. Doss, Neil S. Jacobson, 2020-09-15 The definitive therapist manual for Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT)—one of the most empirically supported approaches to couple therapy. Andrew Christensen, codeveloper (along with the late Neil Jacobson) of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, and Brian Doss provide an essential manual for their evidence-based practice. The authors offer guidance on formulation, assessment, and feedback of couples’ distress from an IBCT perspective. They also detail techniques to achieve acceptance and deliberate change. In this updated edition of the work, readers learn about innovations to the IBCT approach in the 20+ years since the publication of the original edition—including refinements of core therapeutic techniques. Additionally, this edition provides new guidance on working with diverse couples, complex clinical issues, and integrating technology into a course of treatment. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Innovative Skills to Increase Cohesion and Communication in Couples Julie Anne Laser-Maira, Nicole Nicotera, 2019 Couples therapy is not always successful or enjoyable for either the client or the therapist. Innovative Skills to Increase Cohesion and Communication in Couples discusses evidence-based clinical techniques and skills that support and nurture couples in their relationship. Each chapter begins with a succinct overview of a technique, evidence that supports it, and ideas for assessment to ensure that it is appropriate for the couple. Subsequent sections of each chapter provide clear examples of approaches so that new or seasoned clinicians will have the requisite knowledge for effective implementation, required materials, suitable locations for use, and personal preparation. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Handbook of Marriage and Marital Therapy G. Pirooz Sholevar, 2013-11-11 |
| alternatives to couples therapy: 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) Julie Schwartz Gottman, John M. Gottman, 2015-10-26 From the country’s leading couple therapist duo, a practical guide to what makes it all work. In 10 Principles for Doing Effective Couples Therapy, two of the world’s leading couple researchers and therapists give readers an inside tour of what goes on inside the consulting rooms of their practice. They have been doing couples work for decades and still find it challenging and full of learning experiences. This book distills the knowledge they've gained over their years of practice into ten principles at the core of good couples work. Each principle is illustrated with a clinically compiled case plus personal side-notes and storytelling. Topics addressed include: • You know that you need to “treat the relationship,” but how are you supposed to get at something as elusive as “a relationship”? • How do you empathize with both clients if they have opposite points of view? Later on, if they end up separating does that mean you’ve failed? Are you only successful if you keep couples together? • Compared to an individual client, a relationship is an entirely different animal. What should you do first? What should you look for? What questions should you ask? If clients give different answers, who should you believe? • What are you supposed to do with all the emotional and personal history that your clients stir up in you? • How can you make your work research-based? No one who works with couples will want to be without the insight, guidance, and strategies offered in this book. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The New I Do Susan Pease Gadoua, Vicki Larson, 2014-09-23 If half of all cars bought in America each year broke down, there would be a national uproar. But when people suggest that maybe every single marriage doesn't look like the next and isn't meant to last until death, there's nothing but a rash of proposed laws trying to force it to do just that. In The New I Do, therapist Susan Pease Gadoua and journalist Vicki Larson take a groundbreaking look at the modern shape of marriage to help readers open their minds to marrying more consciously and creatively. Offering actual models of less-traditional marriages, including everything from a parenting marriage (intended for the sake of raising and nurturing children) to a comfort or safety marriage (where people marry for financial security or companionship), the book covers unique options for couples interested in forging their own paths. With advice to help listeners decide what works for them, The New I Doacts as a guide to thinking outside the marital box and the framework for a new debate on marriage in the 21st century. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Neurodiverse Relationships Joanna Stevenson, 2019-07-18 Comprised of the accounts of twelve heterosexual couples in which the man is on the Autism Spectrum, this book invites both partners to discuss their own perspectives of different key issues, including anxiety, empathy, employment and socialising. Autism expert Tony Attwood contributes a commentary and a question and answer section for each of the twelve accounts. The first book of its kind to provide perspectives from both sides of a relationship on a variety of different topics, Neurodiverse Relationships is the perfect companion for couples in neurodiverse relationships who are trying to understand one another better. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Life-Saving Divorce Gretchen Baskerville, 2020-02 You Can Love God and Still Get a Divorce. And get this, God will still love you. Really. Are you in a destructive marriage? One of emotional, physical, or verbal abuse? Infidelity? Neglect? If yes, you know you need to escape, but you're probably worried about going against God's will. I have good news for you. You might need to divorce to save your life and sanity. And God is right beside you. In The Life-Saving Divorce You'll Learn: - How to know if you should stay or if you should go.- The four key Bible verses that support divorce for infidelity, neglect, and physical and/or emotional abuse. - Twenty-seven myths about divorce that aren't true for many Christians. - Why a divorce is likely the absolute best thing for your children. - How to deal with friends and family who disapprove of divorce. - How to find safe friends and churches after a divorce. Can you find happiness after leaving your destructive marriage? Absolutely yes! You can get your life back and flourish more than you thought possible. Are you ready? Then let's go. It's time to be free. This book includes multiple first-person interviews. Explains psychological abuse, gaslighting, the abuse cycle, Christian divorce and remarriage, children and divorce, domestic violence, parental alienation, mental abuse, and biblical reasons for divorce. Includes diagrams such as the Duluth Wheel of Power and Control (the Duluth Model) and the Abuse Cycle, as well as graphs based on Paul Amato's 2003 study analyzing Judith Wallerstein's book, The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce. Includes quotes by Leslie Vernick, Lundy Bancroft, Shannon Thomas, David Instone-Brewer, Natalie Hoffman, LifeWay Research, Kathleen Reay, Gottman Institute, Glenda Riley, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Steven Stosny, Michal Gilad, Leonie Westenberg, Nancy Nason-Clark, Julie Owens, Marg Mowczko, Justin Holcomb, Barna Group, Justin Lehmiller, Alan Hawkins, Brian Willoughby, William Doherty, Brad Wright, Bradford Wilcox, Sheila Gregoire, E Mavis Hetherington, John Kelly, Betsey Stevenson, Justin Wolfers, Norm Wright, Virginia Rutter, Judith Herman, and Bessel van der Kolk. Recommended reading list includes: Henry Cloud, John Townsend Boundaries books, Richard Warshack books. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Take Back Your Marriage William Joseph Doherty, 2013-07-24 All couples walk to the altar dreaming of happily-ever-after, but many forces in our society work against healthy lifelong commitment. Renowned family therapist William J. Doherty reveals how cracks can develop in even a rock-solid marriage, and what steps you can take to keep your love strong. Learn ways to break free of common traps like confusing desires with needs, comparing your spouse to your fantasies of other relationships, or becoming overtime parents instead of full-time partners. You'll get suggestions for creating relationship rituals--from mundane to celebratory, sexy to silly--that build closeness and connection every day. The updated second edition incorporates Dr. Doherty's ongoing experience counseling couples, plus the latest information on marriage and health, how divorce affects kids, the impact of new technologies on family life, and more. Winner--Best Self-Help Book, ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Marriage Contracts and Couple Therapy Clifford J. Sager, 1976 Emphasises the significant role of the individual unwritten contract encompassing the expectations and promises - both conscious and unconscious - that each partner brings to a marriage or committed relationship. When expectations do not mesh, the need for therapy becomes evident. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Diversity in Couple and Family Therapy Shalonda Kelly, 2016-12-12 This unprecedented volume provides a primer on diverse couples and families—one of the most numerous and fastest-growing populations in the United States—illustrating the unique challenges they face to thrive in various cultural and social surroundings. In Diversity in Couple and Family Therapy: Ethnicities, Sexualities, and Socioeconomics, a clinical psychologist and couples and family therapist with nearly two decades' experience leads a team of experts in addressing contemporary elements of diversity as they relate to the American family and covering key topics that all Americans face when establishing their identities, including racial and ethnic identity, gender and sexual orientation identity, religious and spiritual identity, and identity intersections and alternatives. Moreover, it includes chapters on cross-cultural assessment of health and pathology and tailoring treatment to diversity. Every chapter includes vignettes that serve to illustrate the nuances of and solutions to the concerns and issues, as well as the strengths and resilience often inherent in diverse couples or families. Effective methods of coping with stereotypes, intergenerational trauma, discrimination, and social and structural disparities are presented, as are ways to assess and empower couples and families. This text includes experiences and traditions of subgroups that typically receive little attention from being seen as too common, such as white and Christian families, or from being seen as too uncommon, such as couples and families from specific Native American tribes and multiracial couples and families. Thus, it addresses the curricular changes needed to master the diversity found in contemporary American couples and families. The text offers a holistic perspective on diverse couples and families that is consistent with the increasing prominence of models that transcend individual diagnoses and biology to include social factors and context. Theory, policy, prevention, assessment, treatment, and research considerations are included in each chapter. Topics include African American, Asian American, Latino, Native American, white, biracial/multiracial, intercultural, LGBT, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim couples and families as well as diverse family structures. The depth of every chapter includes attention to subgroups within each category, such as African American and Caribbean couples and families, as well as those who represent the intersection between varying oppressed identities, such as an intercultural gay family, or a poor, homeless interracial couple. Additionally, each chapter provides a review section with condensed and easy-to-understand summaries of the key take-away lessons. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Les Parrott, Leslie Parrott, 2015-10-27 OVER ONE MILLION COPIES SOLD! With this updated edition of their award-winning book, Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott help you launch lifelong love like never before. This is more than a book--it's an experience, especially when you use the his/her workbooks filled with more than 40 fun exercises. Get ready for deeper intimacy with the best friend you'll ever have. Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, which has been translated into more than 15 languages, is the most widely used marriage prep tool in the world. Why? Because it will help you . . . Uncover the misbeliefs of marriage Learn to communicate with instant understanding Discover the secret to resolving conflict Master the skills of money management Get your sex life off to a great start A compelling video, featuring real-life couples, is available, and with this updated edition, Les and Leslie unveil the game-changing SYMBIS Assessment. Now you can discover how to leverage your personalities for a love that lasts a lifetime. Make your marriage everything it is meant to be. Save your marriage--before (and after) it starts. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The 24 X 7 Marriage : Small Strategies For Good Beginnigs Vijay Nagaswami, 2014-11-30 Why would an age-old institution require new treatment? Because, says Dr Vijay Nagaswami, it is a fact of modern life that people are foundering even harder in their pursuit of that holy grail of marriage: happiness. In The 24x7 Marriage he points, with skill and humour, to some popularly posed questions - and their somewhat startling solutions - that couples must ideally address before they affix a date to their wedding invitations...or as soon as possible after. In this witty and inspirational book, the first in a Westland series addressing The New Indian Marriage, psychiatrist Vijay Nagaswami shows you the way to your own answers. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Marriage Fitness Mort Fertel, 2004 Revolutionary step by step system marriage success. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Imago Relationship Therapy Mo Therese Hannah, 2005-03-11 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 |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Narrative Therapy with Couples... and a Whole Lot More! Jill Freedman, Gene Combs, 2023-09-15 This popular book introduces the reader to the complexities and possibilities of narrative therapy with couples. Five separate papers offer thorough explorations of theory and practice. Detailed examples of therapeutic work with heterosexual couples are provided. This book also includes a number of delightful chapters about narrative work with children, as well as a range of essays and exercises. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Dance of Intimacy Harriet Lerner, 1990 In The Dance of Intimacy, the bestselling author of The Dance of Anger outlines the steps to take so that good relationships can be strengthened and difficult ones can be healed. Taking a careful look at those relationships where intimacy is most challenged--by distance, intensity, or pain--she teaches us about the specific changes we can make to achieve a more solid sense of self and a more intimate connectedness with others. Combining clear advice with vivid case examples, Dr. Lerner offers us the most solid, helpful book on intimate relationships that both women and men may ever encounter. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Be Your Own Brand of Sexy Susan L. Edelman, 2015-02-14 Why Can't I Get What I Want From Men? Today's dating culture is a minefield. With tricky dos and don'ts and endless conflicting strategies, women are more confused than ever. You could be hurting yourself and not even know it, but psychiatrist Susan L. Edelman says: It's not your fault. Thirty years of listening to the deepest secrets of patients has allowed Dr. Edelman to unlock the mystery of why women don't get what they want from men. She says dating doesn't have to be filled with angst and disappointment anymore. It's time to change the game. Dr. Edelman will give you the tools to date on your own terms, actually enjoy the process, and find happiness. Yes, all that is possible with Dr. Edelman's transformative method. Join the revolution. Be your own Brand of Sexy. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Therapy of the Difficult Divorce Marla Beth Isaacs, Braulio Montalvo, David Abelsohn, 2000 By integrating family therapy principles and individual dynamics, the authors have devised a unique method of face-to-face problem solving, sometimes with the entire family, often in sessions with individual members, to help restore parental responsibility and to realign relationships with the divorcing family. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Love Under Repair Keith A. Miller, 2015-02-14 There's a problem with couples therapy: How can you trust a therapist to help you improve your relationship when most therapists aren't specially trained to help couples? Keith Miller reveals the hazards that cause many couples to stumble blindly through couples therapy-or never consider it a viable option in the first place. Love Under Repair takes the guesswork and confusion out of finding professional help that can save your marriage. It also provides invaluable advice on how to succeed in couples therapy: Love Under Repair takes the guesswork and confusion out of finding professional help that can save your marriage. It also provides invaluable advice about succeeding in couples therapy, including how to: -Avoid letting your therapy turn into a money pit -Use health insurance to pay for couples therapy -Transform your love with attachment-based couples therapy (and why cognitive behavioral therapy can be inadequate for repairing your relationship) -Explore alternatives to couples therapy that can make a big impact on your relationship. When your relationship is struggling, you don't have time to experiment. Love Under Repair is a concise, engaging resource that brings to life the Big Three most popular methods of couples therapy today: Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, the Gottman Method Couples Therapy, and Imago Relationship Therapy. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Relationship Alphabet Zach Brittle, 2015-07-07 The Relationship Alphabet is an alphabetical survey of relationship topics based on the research of Dr. John Gottman. The book includes insights on communication, conflict management and friendship building. Practical discussion questions make it easy to turn ideas into action. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy with Couples Adrian J. Blow, 2020-10-19 Volume III of The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy focuses on therapy with couples. Information on the effectiveness of relational treatment is included along with consideration of the most appropriate modality for treatment. Developed in partnership with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), it will appeal to clinicians, such as couple, marital, and family therapists, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. It will also benefit researchers, educators, and graduate students involved in CMFT. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Intimacy Undone MALVIKA. RAJKOTIA, 2022 A leading expert in Indian family law and one of India s most successful divorce lawyers, Malavika Rajkotia has seen the drama of marriages coming undone at close quarters the effects of infidelity, jealousy, domestic violence, property disputes and custody battles. In this important book, she draws upon her extensive experiences in court and with her clients, as well as on case law, to lay bare the mysteries of marriage, divorce and family law. Intimacy Undone examines the institution of marriage in India, from its historical roots to its evolution towards the moral, social and legal position it holds today. It tackles subjects as diverse as the gender equations underpinning society, how current Indian property and family laws came into being, and the controversy about the Uniform Civil Code. Along the way, Rajkotia also brings alive the drama of the divorce courts, critiques the foibles of the institutions involved, and, throughout, furthers the aim of family law to bring about a more equal society. |
| alternatives to couples therapy: Foundations for Couples' Therapy Jennifer Fitzgerald, 2017-02-03 As a quality resource that examines the psychological, neurobiological, cultural, and spiritual considerations that undergird optimal couple care, Foundations for Couples’ Therapy teaches readers to conduct sensitive and comprehensive therapy with a diverse range of couples. Experts from social work, clinical psychotherapy, neuroscience, social psychology, and health respond to one of seven central case examples to help readers understand the dynamics within each partner, as well as within the couple as a system and within a broader cultural context. Presented within a Problem-Based Learning approach (PBL), these cases ground the text in clinical reality. Contributors cover critical and emerging topics like cybersex, emotional well-being, forgiveness, military couples, developmental trauma, and more, making it a must-have for practitioners as well as graduate students. |
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