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This article focuses on the book "Spouse Abuse: A Treatment Program for Couples," by P.H. Neidig and D.H. Friedman. In the book, authors present a detailed description of a treatment program they have developed and used in their own clinical practice. They present their theoretical model, explicit descriptions of how their sessions proceed and materials for self awareness exercises. Their program relies on the group approach and stresses increasing awareness of factors that contribute to violence and improvement of problem-solving skills through communication. Emphasizing interpersonal problems and stress management, they tend to deemphasize issues of the male-female power relationship or society's legitimization of violence towards women. Authors indicate that most clients who come to them are motivated to both understand roots of the violence in their relationship and to change. Throughout the book, authors show extensive knowledge of the family violence literature and indicate how their model was developed based on stress and cognitive learning theories.

Reviews the book "Family Violence Across the Lifespan," by Olga W. Barnett, Cindy L. Miller-Perrin and Robin D. Perrin.