Multicultural Couple Therapy

Most traditional couple therapy models are based on the Eurocentric, middle-class value system and are not effective for today′s psychotherapists working in multicultural settings. Multicultural Couple Therapy is the first "hands-on" guide for integrating couple therapy with culture, race, ethnic identity, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and immigration experiences.

The editors and a culturally diverse group of contributors follow a common outline of topics across chapters, related to theory, research, practice, and training. They report on the application of major evidence-based models of couple therapy and demonstrate the integral role played by contextually based values involved in relationships, conflict, and resolution.

Key Features

• Presents a multiperspective approach that focuses on specific cultural issues in couple therapy
• Creates a cultural context for couples to help readers better understand key issues that affect relationships
• Features a series of compelling "Case Examples" from the authors′ personal therapeutic experience in treatment with couples from diverse backgrounds
• Includes "Additional Resource" sections, including suggested readings, films, and Web sites, as well as experiential exercises and topics for reflection

Intended Audience
This groundbreaking book provides an in-depth resource for clinicians, supervisors, educators, and students enrolled in courses in couple therapy, marriage and family therapy, and multicultural counseling who are interested in how diverse clients define conflicts and what they consider to be functional solutions.

Mudita Rastogi, Ph.D., LMFT, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology, Argosy University in Schaumburg, Illinois. She obtained her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. Additionally she has earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in Psychology from University of Delhi and University of Bombay, India.

Dr. Rastogi has published in the areas of family and couple therapy, cross-cultural and gender issues and South Asian families, and is editor of the book Voices of Color: First-Person Accounts of Ethnic Minoriity Therapists (2005, Sage). She is the Associate Editor for the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

Dr. Rastogi has over fifteen years of clinical experience in both India and the United States with a highly diverse client population, and is in private practice in Arlington Heights, Illinois as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her clinical interests include couples, families, adolescents, cultural and gender issues, domestic violence and trauma. She frequently presents workshops nationally and internationally and also conducts training and consultation in the area of leadership.

Additionally, Dr. Rastogi maintains an interest in volunteering and partnering with grassroots, not-for-profit organizations. She is an AAMFT Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor, and a founding member of the Indian Association for Family Therapy.


Volker Thomas, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy in the Department of Child Development and Family Studies at Purdue University. He received his Ph.D. in Family Social Science with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Minnesota and an MSW from the University of Kassel, Germany.

Since 1993 Dr. Thomas is on the faculty of the COAMFTE accredited doctoral MFT program at Purdue University and served as its director from 1999-2003. Dr. Thomas has been on the editorial boards of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, The Family Journal, and Counseling and Values. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of the AFTA Newsletter from 1998-2002. His research interests include family assessment, family therapy with economically disadvantaged families, gender and multicultural perspectives in family therapy, family therapy with children, ethical and professional issues, supervision in family therapy training.

Among his many publications are recent books: Cierpka, M., Thomas, V., & Sprenkle, D. H. (Eds.) (2005). Family assessment: Integrating Multiple Perspectives. Kirkland, WA: Hogrefe. Thomas, V., Karis, T., & Wetchler, J. (Eds.) (2003). Clinical Issues With Interracial Couples: Theory and Research. New York: Haworth Press. Additionally, Dr. Thomas has published over 60 refereed journal articles and book chapters, and has extensive experience as presenter at national and international conferences.

Dr. Thomas is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Indiana and has a small private practice in West Lafayette. He is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).