Case Conceptualization in Couples Counseling

Couples counseling is distinct from individual and family therapy and, while ideas from these other formats may be overlapping, applying theoretical concepts to couples has distinctive challenges. Behavioral, Humanistic-Existential, and Psychodynamic Approaches to Couples Counseling is unique in that it addresses how to conceptualize various theories around a single case. By discussing only one case, the reader is more readily able to compare and contrast the theoretical ideas of each theory, as well as the pragmatics of techniques. Five theories are discussed around four consistent parts: history, theory of problem formation, theory of problem resolution, and case transcript.

Michael D. Reiter, PhD, LMFT, is a professor in the Department of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University.

Ronald J. Chenail, PhD, is associate provost and professor in the Department of Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University. He also served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, the flagship research journal of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).