For more information
Call 1-800-351-0222
Call 1-800-351-0222
COUPLES THERAPY.
Term Paper ID:29293
Essay Subject:
Examines dynamics and complexity of intimate relationships.... More...
9 Pages / 2025 Words
11 sources, 21 Citations,
APA Format
$36.00
More Papers on This Topic
Paper Abstract:
Examines dynamics and complexity of intimate relationships. Conscious and unconscious forces. Choices and behaviors. Emotional and behavioral issues presented by individuals seeking couples therapy. Three therapeutic approaches suitable for conflict resolution in relationship therapy. Evaluation of which technique appears most effective. Concludes Alderian therapy, a systemic therapy, is most effective intervention.
Paper Introduction:
Clinical Psychology
Couples Therapy
ABSTRACT
The following research explores the dynamics and difficulties of interpersonal intimate relationships, be they of a romantic, married, or married with children nature. The complexity of relationships and the conscious and unconscious forces involved in relationship choices and behaviors merit investigation into therapeutic approaches best designed to resolve conflict issues among couples. This research provides a variety of emotional and behavioral issues that individuals present when seeking couples therapy. From communication problems to infidelity, these presenting problems often prescribe a therapeutic approach that is best suited to resolution. The research explores three therapeutic approache
Text of the Paper:
The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper.
The TFA approach is limited in the sense that it is a "brief"therapy, one brought about as much by modern health care system pressuresas by therapist design. R., Doumas, D. (Jul 2 2). For most individualsundertaking relationship or marriage counseling, the partner is viewed asthe "problem". A conclusion will discusswhich techniques appear to be most effective.Issues Presented in Therapy There are a variety of presenting issues seen by therapists who hopeto help couples resolve relationship difficulties. As West, Mohdzain, and Zaidy (2 ) argue, "Themarriage counselor must develop intervention strategies that address theproblems in the relationship rather than simply dealing with the crisisevent which brought the couple to counseling" (293). Infusing Adlerian theory into an introductory marriage and family course. Couples often seek counseling for avariety of issues such as different communication styles, different levelsof commitment to the relationship, problems with intimacy, problems withfinance, the birth or loss of a child, and family problems. (Oct 1997). Thefollowing three therapeutic approaches will be offered as a means ofhelping couples cope with communication issues, intimacy issues, andproblem-solving skills: Adlerian therapy, Emotion-Focused therapy (EFT),and Thinking, Acting, Feeling therapy (TFA).Therapeutic Techniques Adlerian therapy is based on the systemic perspective that views allbehavior as part of a "sequence of ongoing, repetitive, transactionalpatterns taking place among family members" (LaFountain and Mustaine, 1997,189). This includes identification of theunderlying emotional experience of each partner during the cycle ofinteraction. According to Birchler, Doumas, and Fals-Stewart (1999), "itis estimated that nearly half of all couples are expected to divorce in theforeseeable future" (253). and Zaidy, A. As noted by Denton, Burleson, Clark, Rodriguez andHobbs (2 ), the therapist "reframes the problem and facilitates eachmember of the couple's acceptance of both their own and their partner'semotional response" (65). and Hobbs, B. Marriage counseling and the TFA model: An application. Premarital counseling: A focus for family therapy. This includesthe therapist. Journal of Martial and Family Therapy, 26(1), 65-78.LaFountain, R. and Mustaine, B. Many times individuals in relationships agree to disagree on avariety of issues that cause conflict. The complexity of relationships and theconscious and unconscious forces involved in relationship choices andbehaviors merit investigation into therapeutic approaches best designed toresolve conflict issues among couples. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(1), 1 4-116.Sween, E. This therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of examiningindividuals within their social context, of which the family is the primaryone. Many individuals in relationships seek out counseling due to acrisis event. Because we have seen how each individual's character, onethat is formulated in the family of origin, has such an enormous impact onrelationship choices and behaviors, Adlerian therapy appears best suited toresolve relationship conflict and misbehaviors. (Apr 2 1). Contract . V. (1995). (Oct 1995). Pastexperiences also shape each partner's behavior, thinking, and affectiveperspectives as relationship interaction patterns develop. In other words, the character of each individual in arelationship greatly impacts relationship interaction, satisfaction andstability. Family systems theory is particularly well suited to helping couplesresolve problems and behavioral issues in their extended familyrelationships. Analysis of problematic behavior mightinvolve recognition that one partner does more thinking than acting duringa specific problem situation, while the other partner is doing more feelingthan thinking. (Fall 2 ). Family Journal, 7(3), 253-264.Browne, K. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(3), 285- 298.Denton, W. Emotional discord often leads to further relationship issues,like inability to communicate, emotional distance, anger, resentment andhostility. Dealing with emotions like anger, jealousy, insecurity, and otheremotions that interfere with relationship communication and problem-solvingappear to be a major focus of therapists working with couples. Using the metaphor of teamwork in narrative couples therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 19(3): 76+.Underwood, N. S. Family Journal, 9(2), 186-19 .Stahmann, R. An atmosphere of mutual trust and respect is established as a meansof creating the appropriate environment for problem discussion. While thismay be a familiar pattern in couples therapy, there are always underlyingissues that result in such feelings. The seven Cs: A behavioral systems framework for evaluating martial distress. Purpose, process and product: A case study in marital intervention. Marital fixes. A conclusion suggests that because of family of origininfluence on mate selection and relationship behaviors, the systemictheories of Adlerian Therapy are best suited to help couples in distress. The phenomenon of anger typically compounds the issues presented bycouples seeking therapy. It is believedthat by bringing out the undesired behavior, "patients are enabled todevelop detachment, gain distance from, and change their own behaviors"(Zuckerman, 1995, 355). The goal of therapy is to disrupt the potentially destructivecycle of behavior. By adopting anempathetic, nurturing stance, Adlerian therapy enables the construction ofan environment in which each partner becomes more sensitive to the needs,feelings and beliefs of the other partner due to empathetic listening.Whatever the outcomes of Adlerian therapy, they are based on a mutuallydesigned and agreed upon course of behavior modification. TFA represents a new model of couplestherapy designed by therapists in response to relationship and health caresystem pressures. Caring . R., Clark, T. This results in disruption of old cycles of interaction and a newand more adaptive cycle is initiated. Character impairments are essential to address because the failureto recognize and treat partners' pathological or self-defeating characterfeatures readily results in the dysfunction of couples. A randomized trial of emotion-focused therapy for couples in a training clinic. For example, if one individual iscontinually yelling at the other individual, the cycle of interaction willbe tracked by the therapist. Thisequates to a cognitive-affective-psychomotor triad (West, et al, 2 ,295). As Underwood (2 2) notes, "Arelationship is a very powerful drama, and it's easy to get lost in it"(3 ). Strong emotions create patterns of interaction that keep therelationship hostage to such emotions. In this way the therapist helpscontrol the presenting symptom. P. This research provides a variety ofemotional and behavioral issues that individuals present when seekingcouples therapy. L., Mohdzain, A. Feelings have a broader range ofmeaning. As Browne (1995) notes, "The most intense of humanemotions arise during the formation, maintenance, disruption and renewal ofattachment relationships" (1 9). E., Rodriguez, C. One of thebiggest issues presented by individuals in relationships who seekcounseling is the lack of ability to communicate. Conflict resolution (255) Understanding the dynamics of character is essential to effectivecounseling. H., Dahlin, S. (Jul 2 ). According toBirchler (et al, 1999), "In dyadic relationships, the combinations ofindividual personalities and the relative levels of psychopathologymanifested in interpersonal contexts can be quite different" (253).Character impairments differ between individuals based on differentdevelopmental histories, different personality styles, and a uniquecombination of biological, environmental and experiential factors. Intense emotions are engendered by relationships of intimacy. M. Family Journal, 5(4), 189-199.Sells, J. Family Journal, 8(3), 293-299.Zuckerman, S. Relationship satisfaction can bemeasured through a variety of tools, including the Dyadic Adjustment Scale,Positive Feelings Questionnaire, and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy inRelationships scale. Clinical Psychology Couples Therapy ABSTRACTThe following research explores the dynamics and difficulties ofinterpersonal intimate relationships, be they of a romantic, married, ormarried with children nature. F. According to Stahmann (2 ), typical goals ofmarital preparation therapy include: (1) easing the transition from singleto married life, (2) increasing couple stability and satisfaction, (3)enhancing the communications skills of the couple, (4) increasingfriendship and commitment to the relationship, (5) increasing coupleintimacy, and, (6) enhancing problem-solving and decision-making skills(1 4). (Feb 2 ). H., Burleson, B. Alleviating spouse relationship difficulties. and Fife, S. Using a paradoxical intervention based on the work ofVictor Frankl, the therapist orchestrates and intentional and exaggeratedeffort to get individuals to exhibit undesired behaviors. Family Journal, 3(4), 354-356. According to a study by Denton (et al, 2 ), EFT has"performed well in comparison to other models of couples therapy, with tensessions of EFT producing results equivalent to those of a strategicsystemic intervention at post-treatment and 12-month assessments" (65). Other factorscan contribute to poor relationship interaction, like depression, anxietydisorders, substance abuse problems, and a variety of psychoses. The research explores three therapeutic approachesthat are well-suited for conflict resolution in relationship therapy: (1)Adlerian therapy, (2) Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and (3) Thinking,Feeling, Acting (TFA) Therapy. Typically this involves "normalizing behavior and theconstruction of new meanings from behavior" (West, et al, 2 , 294).Developed by Hutchins in the late 197 s, TFA views behavior as the productof thoughts, feelings and actions related to specific circumstances. A third session mightencourage the couple to argue only on a certain day of the week, at thespecified time, and in the arguing place. (Jan 21, 2 2). ReferencesBirchler, G. These reactions areobserved by the therapist. During this process the individuals in therelationship start to make new requests of each other and try to create newsolutions to the presenting problem - in this case continual yelling andarguing. From communication problems to infidelity, thesepresenting problems often prescribe a therapeutic approach that is bestsuited to resolution. As the acting out of anger diminishes, thecouple is freed to work on other issues. The use of such a therapyovercomes some of the shortcomings of other therapeutic interventionsaddressed in this research. N. As Zuckerman (1995) explains, "Anger is aninternal state involving varying degrees of and interactions betweenphysiological, affective, cognitive, motoric, and verbal components" (354). Character features . In relationship discord involving this component, one partnermight try to get validation from the other partner based on feelings ofinadequacy, anxiety or depression. At a following session, theymay be instructed to argue at a certain time. K. Also investigated will be the therapeutic techniques commonlyused in an attempt to resolve these issues. In some cases anger being vented by onepartner has nothing to do with the other partner. For example, EFT is a therapy that encouragespeople to identify and discuss their emotions, but as Denton (et al, 2 )note: "It may seem that this type of therapy would be most beneficial forcouples who are affluent, highly educated, and psychologically minded"(73). According to Birchler (et al, 1999),there are seven components of this heuristic model for understanding thefunctioning of individuals in relationships: . She's theproblem!...is not an uncommon start to couples therapy" (76). This research will examine the presentingissues of couples in relationships who seek relationship or marriagecounseling. Working out complex emotions is often a major emphasis of couplestherapy. Adlerian therapy is based on family systems therapy. Accommodation occurs as therapists and clients negotiate amutual and acceptable world view, including problem definition andunderstanding of the structure and shape of change and healing work" (288). This lays thefoundation for behavior change.Most Effective Interventions Adlerian therapy is a systemic therapy. Individualdysfunction is often maintained by conflict in relationships andrelationship conflict often exacerbates or maintains individualdysfunction. Hurt, either presentor past, often causes depression, anger, bitterness and conflict incouples. Because of the complex variety of emotional issues that can causerelationship discord and ultimately lead to the dissolution of therelationship, premarital counseling is growing in popularity amongtherapists as a means of providing a more stable and better chance for asuccessful long-term relationship. Languaging factors affecting clients' acceptance of forgiveness intervention in marital therapy. When couples enter therapy their thoughts can be negative, positiveor neutral. Commitment . TFA therapy works well when one partner in therelationship is seeking solutions to long-term problems while the otherpartner is merely seeking an end to the current crisis. As noted by Butler, Dahlin, and Fife (2 2), "accommodationin therapy is related to reduced struggle and ultimately to successfuloutcomes. Such complex interactions, influence theexpectations, judgments and feelings each partner has of each other.Because of this, changing family structures, and changing morals and valuesin society, separation and divorce have risen dramatically over the pastfew decades. M. Such realities have led to the creation of a behavioral systemsframework from which the therapist can conceptualize, evaluate, and plantreatment for distressed couples. and Fals-Stewart, W. From thebiopsychosocial perspective, individuals in relationships grow and developto the point where they have or have not acquired the personal skillsnecessary to establish a healthy interpersonal relationship. Blame is avoided and reflectionis empathetic. This method aimsto help individuals in relationships become more adept at interacting on adaily basis. Whatever the nature of a personal relationship, relationships areassociated with strong emotional feelings of belonging and commitmentbetween individuals. Using a 9-point TFA triangle, thetherapist asks each individual what they were thinking, feeling and doingduring a conflict situation. To establish betterinsight into relational dynamics, the therapist may focus on "familystructure, coalitions, alliances, communication, power, control, emotionalneeds, culture, and developmental issues" (LaFountain et al, 1997, 192).For example, when couples argue incessantly, the therapist may instructthem to select one specific place to argue. Diagramming such processes enables clients to gain greaterinsight and understanding with respect to how their behaviors areinfluenced by particular thoughts, feelings and action. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 8(2), 1 9-122.Butler, M. Clinical Psychology Couples TherapyIntroduction Whether couples are married, living together, or romanticallydating, relationships are extremely complex and involve a variety ofinteractions at a conscious and unconscious level between two or morepeople (children, in-laws, etc.). T. The action component ofTFA relates to how a person reacts to situations. Sells (2 1) notes that the most important contribution ofneo-Freudian family theorists to marital therapy is the "integration offamily-of-origin redress as a means motive for mate selection and maritalbehavior" (187). (Jan 2 ). Such therapies often include similargoals to achieve this. Maclean's, 115(3), 3 -31.West, P. In their explanation of TFA, West (et al, 2 )argues that "Client demands for immediate relief plus restriction on theduration of therapy brought about by managed care pressures influenced theTFA model as a viable, solution-based approach to marriage counseling"(293). A paradoxical intervention to control anger in couple counseling. Thinking, feeling and acting (TFA) therapy is a solution-focusedmodel of intervention. Thetherapist is sensitive to giving fair and full attention through empatheticlistening to the views of each individual. Communication . (Jul 1999). According to Sween (2 ), "He's the problem! Adlerian systems theory argues that symptoms like anger and fightingare illustrative of problems in the family system. L. Cultural and ethnic factors . Emotion-focused therapists assist individuals in breaking common,destructive cycles in relationships. The therapist conceptualizes the behavior ofeach individual as an interaction of thoughts, feelings and actions as theyrelate to a specific situation. These can include infidelity, physical abuse, the loss of achild, family discord, financial difficulties or a host of other crises.However, these crises are only symptoms of underlying problems at work inone or both individuals.
If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again:
or
We can write a Custom Essay just for you.
Browse Essays by Subject