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"Integrative Couple Therapy in Action: A Practical Guide for Handling Common Relationship Problems and Crises" by Arthur Nielsen is a comprehensive book that offers an integrative approach to couple therapy. The author draws from various perspectives, including systemic, psychodynamic, and behavioral approaches, to provide practical skills for handling conflict and self-exploration experiences. The book addresses common relationship problems such as sex, money, children, work, and time pressures, as well as more severe issues like extramarital affairs, divorce, and stepfamilies. Nielsen emphasizes the importance of domain-specific knowledge and detailed study of specific relationship problems in achieving successful therapeutic outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

The goal of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for assessing marital interpersonal pathologies in men with avoidant attachment symptoms (MIPA). The present study used an exploratory mixed-methods design involving qualitative and quantitative stages or two implementation steps. In the quantitative stage of the study, the population consisted of all married men with avoidant attachment symptoms who referred to counseling centers in Isfahan, Iran experiencing marital problems in 2021. The subjects in the quantitative research sample, consisting of 525 married men with avoidant attachment symptoms, were selected through convenience sampling. Factor analysis was used to analyze the data. The results indicated three factors (emotional pathologies, communication pathologies, and functional pathologies) with eleven dimensions that could be considered in a marital interpersonal pathology questionnaire for men with avoidant attachment. According to the results, this questionnaire has high validity and reliability and can be used to identify marital interpersonal pathologies in men with avoidant attachment symptoms. Implications for future research and applications in couple and family therapy are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infidelity occurs in approximately 25% of marriages and is associated with various negative consequences for individuals (e.g., depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress), the couple relationship (e.g., financial loss, increased conflict, and aggression), and the couple's children (e.g., internalizing and externalizing behaviors). Infidelity is also one of the most frequently cited reasons for divorce. The increased stress brought on by the pandemic may be putting couples at an increased risk for experiencing infidelity, and data collected during the pandemic have shown that people across the United States are engaging in behaviors that are associated with a high likelihood of experiencing infidelity. The negative consequences of infidelity are also likely to be exacerbated for couples during the pandemic due to the intersection with the social, emotional, and financial consequences of COVID‐19. Furthermore, couples are likely to experience disruptions and delays to the affair recovery process during the pandemic, which can negatively impact their ability to heal. Therefore, recommendations for navigating affair recovery during the pandemic, including adaptations for therapy, are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence family of origin and sexual attitudes have on perceptions of infidelity through a mediation analysis to test whether sexual attitudes mediates the relationship between family of origin attitudes and perceptions of infidelity. Results indicated that family of origin attitudes were linked with higher permissive sexual attitudes and lower perceptions of infidelity. Additionally, results indicated an indirect link between family of origin attitudes and perceptions of infidelity through sexual attitudes. These findings align with previous research examining how family of origin influences the occurrence of infidelity and provides insight to helping professionals as they address infidelity in romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies demonstrating the prevalence of polyamory have highlighted the dearth of research on this topic in the mental health literature, and have increased the urgency to better understand the unique experiences and therapeutic needs of this population. We conducted a qualitative study of 20 individuals who identify as polyamorous via an online survey requesting information about special challenges faced by polyamorous people and suggestions for clinicians working with polyamorous clients. After conducting thematic analysis, two main themes emerged around special challenges: dealing with stigma and navigating polyamory. Recommendations for clinicians included: seek education, challenge your assumptions, and do not pathologize polyamory. Implications for the couple and family therapists and graduate training programs are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the authors' study which investigates the issue of parental infidelity and its impact on the family's children. Topics discussed include the authors' insights regarding the issue of parental infidelity, the use of the SFT (structured family therapy) framework in evaluating parental infidelity's impact on the family's children, and an overview of the intervention procedures recommended by the authors to address the issue of parental infidelity.

The Internet can enhance existing relationships or facilitate the development of new relationships, including illicit ones. Increased research in this area has predominately been on online sexual addiction and pornography, with few about social networking sites. Facebook, a popular social networking site boasting 1.15 billion active users. This article reviews existing literature on Internet infidelity, comparing online activities and Facebook-specific behaviors. Five areas related to Internet infidelity will be explored, such as definitions and the impact on relationships. Although several similarities exist between general Internet and Facebook-specific infidelity, unique differences exist. Implications for future research and clinical practice are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article presents a unique clinical model of forgiveness developed specifically for use in the treatment of infidelity. The model focuses on forgiveness as a central component of the process of healing for couples who desire relationship reconciliation following an affair. Infidelity causes significant damage for couples and results in a loss of trust and relationship stability. However, couples can become reunified and trust may be restored as couples work through the process of forgiveness. Forgiveness is facilitated as therapists and clients focus on four unifying factors: empathy, humility, commitment and apology. Specific steps are outlined for therapists to help them guide clients through the process of forgiveness. The clinical application of the model is illustrated with a brief case example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the relationship between adult attachment style, differentiation, and infidelity. Results indicated that attachment anxiety and avoidance showed significant relationships with infidelity at both the bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis. Differentiation also showed significant results at the bivariate level, whereas the differentiation subconstruct, fusion with others, contributed significantly to the overall model. The knowledge of a parental affair increased the chances of individuals participating in extradyadic relationships as well as other demographic characteristics. The impact of results on clinical implications and therapeutic interventions are discussed as well as future areas of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses an approach to relational ethics in contemporary systemic practice. It explores the possibilities offered by traditions of moral philosophy in attending to problems from a relational ethics perspective. This includes a focus on relationships as a crucial element in the development and maintenance of a moral self and how couples and families construct an ethical platform together, both consciously and unconsciously; and also how relational ethics may inform ideas about the values-driven problems people present in therapy Finally it suggests how ethical responsibility and accountability can be constructed as relational responsiveness. Despite our associations with morality as judgmental and rule driven, moral conduct and decision-making can involve imaginative, creative and aesthetic possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the contents of the principal English-language family therapy journals published in 2009 are reviewed under these headings: narrative therapy, child-focused problems, adult-focused problems, substance abuse across the lifespan, illness across the lifespan, family violence, couples, diversity, developments in systemic practice, training and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marital infidelity is one of the most difficult problems to treat in psychotherapy. Although this topic has received theoretical, empirical, and clinical attention, an explanatory model of infidelity's (EMI) contributors that considers universal, lifelong involuntary, and volitional processes, has not been examined. In this model, we recognize how early appearing phenomena, such as habituation/dishabituation, perception, quality of attachment, deficits in executive functions and empathy, and short-term mating strategies may contribute to this risk. We link the selected early processes to problems associated with marital infidelity, such as boredom, perception of opportunities, unmet emotional needs, impulsivity, deficits in empathic responding, and habitual casual sex. We examine relevant supporting evidence, and end by recommending that clinicians consider these universal, lifelong processes in the treatment of infidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infidelity is a common presenting problem in marriage and family therapy, and infidelity secrets are its common companion issue. When confronted with infidelity secrets, therapists encounter tension between the offending spouse's privacy and confidentiality rights and the non-offending spouse's right to relationship choice, which entails access to all relationship-relevant information. Professional ethical codes for relational therapy affirm both confidentiality considerations and equal advocacy for all persons in therapy. A relational therapy practice policy about disclosure of infidelity secrets is both critical and simultaneously fraught with tensions among competing accountabilities. A survey design was employed to investigate therapists' attitudes concerning the relational impact of infidelity secrets and their judgments concerning how they should be handled in relational therapy. Findings reveal that relational therapists' clinical judgment is that healing and attachment security are best promoted by disclosure, and that therapists support facilitated disclosure of infidelity in a context of informed, voluntary consent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to show the affective side of the marital infidelity as it could be traced through therapeutic process in relational marital therapy. Relational family therapy is based on the notion of mutuality of affect and transgenerational transmission of affect dysregulation. In the article we present a couple therapy in which we address the affective mutuality of the dynamic of infidelity and uncover the deep shame and fear that lies at the core of that dynamic. In the therapeutic process of the couple therapy a certain turning point in the emotional flow of the process, namely the onset of sadness, occurred through recalling of painful childhood memory of physical abuse and neglect. We argue that the onset of deep sadness created a safe enough environment for the couple in which they could start mourning detached relationships in their families of origin and thus prepared the ground for the verbalization of the affects of fear and shame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A critical and potentially polarizing decision in treating infidelity is whether facilitating partner disclosure or accommodating nondisclosure is most beneficial following private disclosure of infidelity to the therapist. Given couple distress and volatility following disclosure, understandably some therapists judge accommodating an infidelity secret both efficient and compassionate. Employing Western ethics and an attachment/intimacy lens, we consider ethical, pragmatic, and attachment intimacy implications of accommodating infidelity secrets. Issues bearing on the decision to facilitate disclosure or accommodate nondisclosure include (a) relationship ethics and pragmatics; (b) attachment and intimacy consequences; and (c) prospects for healing. We conclude that facilitating voluntary disclosure of infidelity, although difficult and demanding, represents the most ethical action with the best prospects for renewed and vital attachment intimacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated through an Internet survey of 508 practicing marriage and family therapists which treatment decisions varied by gender of the client and background variables of therapists. The subjects responded to several typical Internet infidelity scenarios. We varied the gender of the person initiating the infidelity for half of one sample. We also asked the family therapy participants to respond to how they might assess and treat each presenting problem. They also evaluated problem severity, prognosis of the case, number of sessions necessary for treatment, and the extent to which a therapist would focus individually or relationally. Results indicate that there were differences in how therapists assessed and treated clients based on client gender, therapists’ age, therapists’ gender, how religious therapists reported they were, and the extent of therapists’ personal experience with infidelity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, infidelity means more than extramarital sexual relations and includes such acts of betrayal as clandestine spending of household savings and internet or virtual affairs. Despite the most noble of intentions to repair the relationship, impasse often results when the offending partner desires to move on and the offended partner subsequently feels retraumatized and becomes reactive. Unfortunately, family therapists are often responsible for maintaining this impasse by getting stuck in the same content-level arguments as their clients as well as failing to adequately consider contextual factors like gender and power. In this article I propose a theoretical, integrated, systemic therapy model that balances attachment-informed approaches with systems-informed neutrality. The approach focuses on rebuilding attachment while avoiding even tacit, content-level judgment. It is believed that this will help the couple use existing resources to build a loving interpersonal connection where each partner can safely and openly communicate to move beyond infidelity-related impasse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the principal English-language family therapy journals published in 2005 are reviewed under the following headings: research in family therapy, couples, families and wider systems, parental alimentation syndrome, diversity, training, and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate emotional and sexual relationships outside of marriage or a committed relationship occur with high frequency in both community and, particularly, clinical populations. Clinicians are likely to confront infidelity not only among couples they treat, but also among individuals struggling with their own or their partner's affair and among children contending with consequences of a parent's infidelity. This introduction highlights special concerns related to treating individuals, couples, or families dealing with infidelity addressed in this issue of Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. The articles comprising this issue advance explicit guidelines and practice recommendations for assessment, intervention, and ethical conduct. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 1367–1370, 2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The revelation of an affair is often an emotionally explosive event for a couple, yet little is known about specific individual and relationship factors that accompany infidelity. The present study examined the qualities of individuals and couples that differentiate couples with (n = 19) and without (n = 115) infidelity using couples from a randomized clinical trial of marital therapy. Findings indicated that couples with infidelity showed greater marital instability, dishonesty, arguments about trust, narcissism, and time spent apart. Gender also proved to be a significant moderator of several effects. Men who had participated in affairs showed increased substance use, were older, and were more sexually dissatisfied. Results offer initial clues to concomitants of affairs for couple therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiation and infidelity have been theoretically related. However, few studies have tested whether the concepts in differentiation are statistically related to infidelity. One hundred nineteen participants in the present study completed two inventories assessing their level of differentiation and engaging in infidelity. Two-step structural equation modeling is used to determine the degree to which differentiation relates to infidelity. Results indicated that, though differentiation may be part of a plausible model of infidelity behavior, there are potentially other models that may be relevant in engaging in infidelity. The findings and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a multi-phase Delphi methodology to identify and explore critical issues, interventions, and gender differences in the treatment of Internet infidelity. We developed three representative vignettes related to Internet infidelity and asked twenty experts in extramarital affairs and/or sex addiction to respond to them, both through ratings and open-ended comments. We found little agreement among the experts. We discuss the unique features of Internet relationships, the areas of agreement and disagreement that we found among the experts, and the implications of our findings and the nature of Internet infidelity for both practice and training in marriage and family therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infidelity comes in many forms. Different meanings may be assigned to the various forms. This article discusses not only the different forms infidelity may take, but also the larger issue in the field of couple and family therapy; the meaning frame for understanding the impact of different kinds of events, specific relationship problems, and how to deal with them. This is done through the use of emotion focused therapy and the context of adult attachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The future of the profession and practice of marriage and family therapy (MFT) rests with those who promote the integration of research and clinical practice. The Boulder scientist-practitioner model is useful in conceptualizing MFT training, but it is not the perfect solution. Four MFT programs (two master's and two doctoral) are featured in this article for their work in integrating research and practice. Helpful strategies presented include: Encouraging students to question the therapy process; integrating research in the curriculum and supervision; discussing the positives and negatives of empirically supported treatments; focusing on change; and developing creative classroom experiences to use within the scientist-practitioner model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery from the trauma of adultery is a process that is full of points where the couple can get stuck. We describe an experiential model that utilizes healing rituals. We start with a general exploration of the use of rituals in marriage and family therapy. The key elements of effective rituals are described. We describe stuck points in these relationships including: 1) knowing the details, 2) releasing the anger, 3) showing commitment, 4) rebuilding trust, and 5) rebuilding the relationship. Ritualized interventions are described for each of these stuck points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Winek and Craven paper offers an interesting possibility for discussing the intersection of theory and practice in marital therapy. These comments can be understood as both a distillation and partial extension of previously developed ideas (Moultrup, 1990). Experienced readers will recognize many of the ideas here as being extensions of the work of Bowen (Bowen, 1978). The fundamental focus on the dynamics of differentiation certainly are at the core of my comments, with extensions which are not part of the original Bowen theory. A brief overview of both theoretical and practical issues will frame the dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the response of the authors to the commentary of David Moultrup on their work with adulterous couples. His response provides a gateway into a discussion of the intersection of theory and practice in marital therapy. It also provides illumination of some areas of our work that need clarity as well as an opportunity to provide some of that clarity. In order to discuss the intersection of theory and practice in marital therapy, one must first determine the locus of that intersection. If one takes a cybernetic of cybernetic position where the therapist/observer's view is considered as part of their theoretical understanding, the locus of that intersection occurs in the person of the therapist. This intersection of theory and practice is at the therapists' view of the world or in their epistemology. Moultrup frames his dialogue based on strictly Bowenian theory and therefore points out inconsistencies of our approach comparing/contrasting within his own framework. The author recognizes that our paper is constructed from an experiential perspective, but fails to explain the way family systems may differ in their views of functions and treatment of affairs based on different therapeutic approaches.

While percentages of extramarital sex (EMS) vary from study to study, it can be estimated that 50-60% of married men and 45-55% of married women engage in extramarital sex at some time or another during their marriage and almost half come to therapy because of it. EMS appears in several different forms, only some of which are sexual in nature. Recently, couples are coming to therapy with a new type of affair: the Cyber-Affair. According to the President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, this type of Internet infidelity has been greatly underestimated due to the Internet's current popularity as a technological advancement. In addition, healthcare professionals are often unfamiliar with the dynamics associated with the relatively new concept of cyber-affairs and the electronic process of "virtual cheating" and thus often do not consider the behavior as infidelity. It is the purpose of this paper to explore this new phenomenon, the cyber-affair and to investigate how the ability to form romantic and sexual relationships over the Internet can sometimes lead to marital separation and divorce. In addition, the paper examines the factors involved in Internet infidelity, the unique problems associated with this type of affair, along with a discussion of the therapeutic considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of couples request therapy because of relational problems resulting from an extramarital affair. In treating such couples, five phases of cognitive and emotional aspects of problematic affairs have been identified: (1) the start, (2) suspicion and negation, (3) explosion and impulsive reactions, (4) making choices and deadlock, (5) working through. Clients may enter therapy at very different points in these phases. Some come in full crisis, others in the deadlock phase, not being able to decide what to do.Adifferent therapeutic intervention is proposed for each phase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Randomly selected samples of practicing couple therapists who were members of the American Psychological Association's Division 43 or the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy completed a survey of couple problem areas and therapeutic issues encountered in couple therapy. Therapists rated problem areas in terms of occurrence, treatment difficulty, and damaging impact. A composite of these 3 dimensions suggested that the most important problems were lack of loving feelings, power struggles, communication, extramarital affairs, and unrealistic expectations. Comparison of the findings with therapist ratings obtained by S. K. Geiss and K. D. O'Leary (1981) suggests considerable stability in presenting problems in couple therapy over the past 15 years. Therapist-generated characteristics associated with negative outcome were also identified, the most common being partners' inability or unwillingness to change and lack of commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapists neglect the existence and/or impact of the two relationships in an extramarital affair, that between the two spouses, and that between the involved spouse and the lover. Both have distance-regulating functions; both need to be assessed to effectively treat the problem. This paper presents a birelational model utilizing a functional family therapy approach that provides a more thorough assessment of extramarital affairs and, consequently, more effective intervention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents abstracts of research papers published in various journals. The paper "Changes in Sibling Behavior Following Family Intervention," by J.E. Arnold, A.G. Levine and G.R. Peterson, published in the "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology," attempts to develop a broad-based behavioral treatment program for aggressive children. As part of this program, parents are taught child management techniques for use with the identified child. Another article "Sex and the Medical Model," by V.L. Bullough, published in the "Journal of Sex Research," presents and discusses, historically, how scientific prejudices have proven disastrous in the field of sexuality. Another article "Therapeutic Handling of Marital Infidelity," by B.B. Peck, published in the "Journal of Family Counseling," presents a framework for understanding marital infidelity, based on the presumption that both spouses are equally responsible for the upset. Infidelity is seen as having an overt social facade and a covert emotional component.

This case study illustrates the dilemmas of systemic practice when the presenting problem is relational infidelity (marital affairs). After several months of treatment with a structural therapist, the couple and therapist were at an impasse because of arguments over the husband's alleged sexual encounter 3 years previously. The introduction of a consultant and a story-based therapy allowed the couple to reconcile their marital difficulties. The article ends with a discussion of the implications of systemic paradigms and personal morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please send a family story that might be of interest to your colleagues to Larry Golden, UTSA Downtown Campus, CEPAHE, 501 W. Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78207; e-mail: larry.golden@utsa.edu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the author's response to the comments of Frank Pittman about his essay entitled Thinking About Romantic/Erotic Love. Surely no observer of human beings would argue that romantic/erotic love does not fluctuate or that it is consistently present in a long relationship. The qualities that Gottman describes are important, but love and desire are resources which make the other person special and thus the relationship worth working to preserve. Pittman states that my most compelling concern is my frustration with marriages which are loveless albeit necessary for security, comfort, or family relationships. it is not I who am frustrated with these relationships, it is the couple. They want something more. Pittman would say they should be satisfied with what they have; I do not know whether or not they should be, but I do know that they are entitled to consider the dangers and rewards of a search for more. It is not always the case that decisions made early, or at any time, in a life will work over the long haul. Finally, I would add that I am struck with how similar Pittman's list of treatment techniques is to the one offered in my paper. I would only slightly alter Pittman's closing comment to say that the qualities of the love that exists between a couple and the secrets and lies that each partner may harbor are both important to ask about.