Foundations of Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling

A newly updated and practical approach to marriage, couples, and family counseling

Now in its second edition, Foundations of Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling delivers a comprehensive treatment of current theory, research, and real-life practice in family therapy. The text is fully aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). It covers foundational and advanced topics of critical importance to student counselors and therapists seeking to work in family settings, including sexuality, trauma, divorce, domestic violence, addictions, filial play therapy, and the positioning of culture and context in family therapy.

The new edition includes updated content in each chapter and entirely new chapters on assessments and helping families mitigate, adapt, and transition during crisis.

This important book:

• Covers the basic knowledge and skills essential to students and practitioners of couples and family therapy
• Details the history, concepts, and techniques associated with crucial theories, and includes a new chapter on the most up to date assessment strategies
• Tackles contemporary issues and interventions in trauma, divorce, domestic violence, sexuality, and more

At once comprehensive and concise, the Second Edition of Foundations of Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling offers readers a guide to the complex and interconnected concepts required to support a full understanding of couples and family therapy.

David Capuzzi, PhD, is a Counselor Educator and a Senior Core Faculty in Community Mental Health Counseling at Walden University and Professor Emeritus at Portland State University. He is past President of the American Counseling Association and has written several books, including Foundations of Addictions Counseling. 

Mark D Stauffer, PhD, is a core faculty member in the clinical mental health counseling program at Walden University. He received his PhD from Oregon State University, Department of Teacher and Counselor Education and specializes in couples, marriage and family counseling. 

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Meet the Editors xvii

Meet the Contributors xix

PART 1 ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 1

Chapter 1 Variations in Family Systems and Family Life Cycles 3
David Capuzzi, Mark D. Stauffer, and Nicholaus Erber-LaPierre

Functional and Dysfunctional Families 4

Variations in Family Systems 6

The Family Life Cycle 12

Summary 18

Useful Websites 18

References 18

Chapter 2 Using Community Genograms to Position Culture and Context in Family Therapy 23
Sandra A. Rigazio-DiGilio and Hyeseong Kang

Making the Invisible Visible: The Evolution of Genograms 24

Community Genograms: Capturing the Complexity of Culture and Context 28

Basic Components of Standard Community Genograms 31

Using Community Genograms to Extend Client Perspectives 36

Using Community Genograms as Consultants and Advocates 39

Summary 43

Useful Websites 44

References 44

Chapter 3 Diversity and Intercultural Work in Family Counseling 47
Brian S. Canfield

Goals 48

Background 49

Major Constructs 50

Techniques 54

Limitations 57

Summary 58

Websites and Links 58

References 59

Chapter 4 Assessment of Families and Family Systems 61
Jessica A. Russo, Jason H. King, and Russell C. Gaede

Research Methods in Couples and Family Therapy 61

The Role of Assessment in Couples and Family Therapy 63

Ethical and Professional Issues in Assessment 65

Assessment and Diagnosis 65

Assessments and Inventories for Couples and Family Counseling 65

LGBTQ+ Population 68

Stepfamily Marriages 68

Assessing Specific Problems and Stressors 69

Assessing the Quality of the Relationship 70

Family Assessment Instruments 70

Summary 80

References 81

Chapter 5 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues 83
Anthony S. Zazzarino, Deena Shelton, and Melinda Haley

Ethical Issues 84

Legal Issues 88

HIPAA 89

Licensure 89

Professional Issues 92

Accreditation 97

Summary 98

Useful Websites 98

References 99

PART 2 THEORIES: HISTORY, CONCEPTS, AND TECHNIQUES 103

Chapter 6 Psychodynamic Theories: Approaches and Applications 105
Stephanie K. Scott PhD, LMHC

Background 106

Major Constructs 109

Goals 113

Techniques 115

Limitations 121

Summary 123

References 123

Chapter 7 Experiential and Humanistic Theories: Approaches and Applications 125
Michael J. Walsh, Mark B. Scholl, and Michelle Perepiczka

Carl Whitaker 126

Walter Kempler 132

Virginia Satir 136

Limitations 143

Summary 144

Useful Websites 144

References 144

Chapter 8 Bowenian Family Systems Theory: Approaches and Applications 149
DoHee Kim-Appel and Jonathan K. Appel

Background 149

Bowen’s Family Systems Theory 150

Major Constructs 151

Counseling Techniques 163

Limitations and Future Research 166

Summary 167

Useful Websites 168

References 168

Chapter 9 Structural Theory: Approaches and Applications 173
Shawn P. Parmanand and Esther N. Benoit

Theoretical Overview 173

Major Constructs 175

Goals 184

Techniques 185

Limitations 188

Summary 189

Useful Websites 189

References 190

Chapter 10 Strategic and Milan Systemic Theories: Approaches and Applications 191
Mark D. Stauffer, Heather J. Ambrose, and John M. Robbins

Background 191

Major Constructs 192

Washington School of Strategic Therapy 194

Mental Research Institute (MRI) School 199

Milan Systemic School 201

Strategic Therapy Limitations 205

Summary 205

Useful Websites 205

References 206

Chapter 11 Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Theories: Approaches and Applications 209
Marvarene Oliver, Kimberlee A. Mincey, and Yvonne O. Castillo

Background 210

Techniques 221

Limitations 223

Summary 224

References 224

PART 3 COUPLE WORK 227

Chapter 12 Key Issues and Interventions in Couples Counseling 229
Montserrat Casado-Kehoe and Diane Kimball

Couples Counseling Models and Interventions 230

Summary 246

Useful Websites 246

References 247

Chapter 13 Sexuality and Gender in Couples Counseling 251
Janet G. Froeschle Hicks, Brandé N. Flamez, Logan Winkelman, and Nicole Noble

Definitions of Gender and Sex 252

Couple Differentiation 264

Counselor Sexuality Training 266

Summary 268

Useful Websites 268

References 268

Chapter 14 Counseling Couples Using Life Cycle and Narrative Therapy Lenses 273
Colleen R. Logan, Aaron H. Jackson, Dawn M. Wirick, and Lee A. Teufel-Prida

Case Study 273

Termination 285

Referral 286

Summary 286

Useful Websites 287

References 287

PART 4 SPECIAL ISSUES 289

Chapter 15 Filial Play Therapy and Other Strategies for Working With Parents 291
John Sommers-Flanagan, Kirsten W. Murray, and Christina G. Yoshimura

Parenting Problems and Theoretical Models 292

Core Principles for Working with Parents 294

Filial Therapy: An Approach for Working Directly with Parents 298

Summary 308

Useful Websites 309

References 309

Chapter 16 Family Work in Addictions Counseling 311
Pamela S. Lassiter, Astra B. Czerny, and Cherria M. Moore

What is Addiction? 311

Prevalence of Addiction in Families 311

Impact of Addiction 312

Substance Abuse Versus Nonsubstance Addictions 312

Biopsychosocial Epistemology of Addiction 313

Using Family Therapy as a Treatment Modality 316

Family Dynamics and Addiction 316

Recruitment of Addicted Families 319

Assessment Strategies 319

Assessment and Initial Interviews 320

Joining with Addicted Families 321

Segmenting 321

Stages of Change 321

Motivational Interviewing 322

Family Interventions Protocols 323

Family Education Programs 323

Goals for Therapy with Families with Addiction 323

Training and Supervision 328

Summary 329

References 331

Chapter 17 Violence, Abuse, and Trauma in Family Therapy 335
Danica G. Hays and S. Todd Bolin

Introduction to Violence, Abuse, and Trauma 335

Diversity Considerations 339

Counseling Families Experiencing Violence, Abuse, and Trauma 341

Postscript: Counselor Self-Care 347

Summary 348

Useful Websites 349

References 349

Chapter 18 Divorce and Other Loss Issues in Family Therapy 357
Thelma Duffey

The Grief Experience 357

Family Communication During the Grief Process 358

Culture, Communication, and the Expression of Grief 359

Theories of Grief 360

Kübler-Ross Grief Cycle Model 360

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory 361

A Family’s Adaption to Loss 362

Common Experiences of Loss in a Family System 363

Divorce 363

Divorcing Couples 364

Children of Divorcing Families 364

Adult Children of Divorce 365

A Child Dies 365

Grief and Loss in Older Adulthood 367

Ambiguous Loss 368

Childhood Trauma as Ambiguous Loss 368

Getting the Family Involved 369

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 369

Miscarriage as Ambiguous Loss 369

Disenfranchised and Stigmatized Losses 370

Issues of Loss With Gay and Lesbian Couples 370

Creativity in Grief and Loss Counseling 371

Creative Interventions With Couples and Families Experiencing Loss 372

Summary 373

Useful Websites 374

References 374

Chapter 19 Climate Crises: Helping Families Mitigate, Adapt, and Transition During Disruption 377
Debbie C. Sturm, Ph.D., Anne L. Metz, Ph.D., Judy A. Daniels, Ph.D., and Mark D. Stauffer, Ph.D.

Lack of Nature Contact 378

Mental Health Impact of the Climate Crisis 379

Climate Crisis Specific Mental Health Considerations 380

Ecowellness: An Approach to Working With Affected Families 381

Family Counseling With Vulnerable Populations 383

Counseling Families With children 384

Listening and Talking With Children About Climate Concerns 384

Helping Families Prepare for a Climate Related-Disaster 386

Supporting Families Who Experience Climate Disasters 387

People Deciding Whether to Have Children 387

Nature Connection as a Family Intervention 388

Summary 390

References 390

Index 391

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