Includes bibliographical references (pages 279-280) and index.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Into the Fray: Theoretical Foundation and Overview -- 2. The Basics: Clinical Goals and Tasks -- 3. Relationship Obstacle 1: Poor Communication Skills -- 4. Relationship Obstacles 2 and 3: Emotional Wounds and Differing Visions -- 5. Beginnings: Structure and Tasks -- 6. Beginnings in Action -- 7. Middle Stages -- 8. Termination -- 9. The Developmental Landscape -- 10. Treatment Maps for Common Couple Problems: Affairs, Money Issues, and Violent and Volatile Couples -- 11. Treatment Maps for Common Couple Problems: Sexual Issues, "Stale" Relationships, and Extended Family Issues -- 12. Treatment Maps for Common Child-Related Problems -- 13. One Helping Two, Two Helping One: Working with Individuals in Relationships -- 14. Life in the Details: The Nuts and Bolts of Couple Therapy -- Appendix A. Explanation of Emotional Wounds -- Appendix B. Instructions for a First Aid Plan for Violent Couples -- Appendix C. Instructions for Meditation -- Appendix D. Instructions for the Emotional Freedom Technique -- Appendix E. Instructions for Using Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety -- References -- Index.

"Now thoroughly revised, this practical, user-friendly guide has helped thousands of novice couple therapists and students to navigate the challenges of clinical work with couples in conflict. Robert Taibbi presents effective strategies for rapidly identifying a couple's core issues and conducting each stage of therapy, from the first sessions to termination. Rich with sensitive case material, the book features end-of-chapter exercises that help readers identify and develop their own strengths as practitioners. Appendices include reproducible client handouts that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition *Three chapters offering detailed treatment maps for common couple problems, with new case examples. *Chapter on the middle stages of treatment. *Increased attention to the all-important opening sessions. *Sharper focus on the three major obstacles to couple success: poor communication, emotional wounds, and differing visions. *Reproducible client handouts explaining key techniques. See also the author's Doing Family Therapy, Third Edition: Craft and Creativity in Clinical Practice"--

"Subject Areas/Keywords: brief, conflicts, counseling, couple therapy, couples therapy, distress, divorce, families, family, intimate relationships, marital problems, marriage, partners, psychotherapy, systemic, techniques, therapists, treatment maps, treatments DESCRIPTION Now thoroughly revised, this practical, user-friendly guide has helped thousands of novice couple therapists and students to navigate the challenges of clinical work with couples in conflict. Robert Taibbi presents effective strategies for rapidly identifying a couple's core issues and conducting each stage of therapy, from the first sessions to termination. Rich with sensitive, detailed case material, the book features end-of-chapter exercises that help readers identify and develop their own strengths as practitioners. Appendices include reproducible client handouts that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size"--