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“This highly readable, exceptional work provides a concrete account of the work of a highly experienced, creative psychotherapist who is committed to advancing the competence level of practitioners and students in all helping professions. Recommended. All readers.”

—Choice Reviews


“Practical and engaging....It is both detailed and heartening. I like the way [Taibbi] encourages therapists to develop their own styles and play to their own strengths in their work with couples and his emphasis on self-reflection and self-care in this challenging area of therapy. I think most couple therapists would find new ideas or be reassured that there is sound thinking beyond many of the interventions they already use. I am happy to recommend it.”

—Sexual and Relationship Therapy (on the first edition)


“What I like most about the book is the Exercises section at the end of each chapter...because they are solid, basic homework-type questions that a cognitively oriented therapist would give to the couples for their own homework.”

—PsycCRITIQUES (on the first edition)


“Very much a hands-on, step-by-step guide to doing couple therapy...The author makes a warm and lively relationship with the reader, mirroring the very substance of the couple counselling he is illustrating. Most usefully, the author offers generous quantities of practical strategies for understanding and working with the whole variety of people and presentations that fill the book.”

—The Independent Practitioner (on the first edition)


“Taibbi writes with the nuance and depth of knowledge of a seasoned, successful couple therapist. I'm not aware of any other book that balances practical detail and theoretical insight in such an accessible and engaging style. Taibbi has the rare ability to synthesize rich clinical wisdom with cutting-edge research into an easy-to-understand therapeutic model. This is a book by a clinician for clinicians, informed by solid theory and research. I plan on using this second edition as a text in my master's- and doctoral-level couple therapy courses. I also recommend it to established clinicians beginning couple therapy, or couple therapists who want to take their practice to the next level.”

—Sean D. Davis, PhD, LMFT, Couple and Family Therapy Program, Alliant International University


“Couple therapy requires a whole different skill set than individual therapy. Taibbi masterfully simplifies the confusing morass that couple therapy can be. He culls pragmatic techniques from several approaches and presents them in a clear and well-illustrated way. This is very useful wisdom from a veteran couple therapist.”

—Richard C. Schwartz, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance


“Taibbi offers an extraordinarily practical introduction to what is arguably the most challenging therapeutic modality. Using down-to-earth language and terms, this book walks readers through a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to working with couples. Taibbi offers a flexible system for conceptualizing couple dynamics and outlines each phase of therapy in great detail. The 'Looking Within' questions at the end of each chapter are especially useful in classroom settings to address self-of-the-therapist issues unique to the practice of couple therapy. New couple therapists are likely to refer to this text frequently on their journey to developing competence.”

—Diane R. Gehart, PhD, LMFT, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, California State University, Northridge


“This book had me at, 'Step up and be the leader the couple expects you to be.' Too often, therapists relinquish their responsibility for keeping therapy on course. Taibbi's no-nonsense yet compassionate presentation of the art and science of couple therapy is accessible to all professionals working with relational issues. As an MFT educator, I particularly appreciate the second edition's treatment maps for common issues; beginning therapists will find them invaluable and experienced therapists will find them a good refresher in the fundamentals.”

—Craig W. Smith, PhD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical Family Therapy Program, Saint Louis University

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Table of Contents

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

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About the Author

Robert Taibbi, LCSW, is an experienced clinician, supervisor, and clinical director who has been practicing almost 50 years. He is the author of numerous books, including Doing Family Therapy, Fourth Edition, and Doing Couple Therapy, Second Edition, as well as over 300 magazine and journal articles, and writes a column entitled “Fixing Families” for Psychology Today online. Mr. Taibbi provides training both nationally and internationally in couple therapy, family therapy, brief therapy, and clinical supervision. He has a private practice in Charlottesville, Virginia.

• Author's website
• All titles by Robert Taibbi

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Audience

Couple and family therapists and counselors, clinical psychologists, social workers, pastoral counselors, and psychiatrists.

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Course Use

May serve as a text in graduate-level courses such as Couple Therapy, Social Work Practice with Families and Couples, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Divorce and Remarriage.

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Special package offer: Robert Taibbi's Doing Family Therapy, Fourth Edition, and Doing Couple Therapy, Second Edition, combine practical clinical know-how with tips for becoming a more creative, self-reflective practitioner.

Order both items for $65.95, instead of $88.00 if bought separately!

order package

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Previous editions published by Guilford:

First Edition, © 2009
ISBN: 9781609182045