Couples therapy - Linda Berg-Cross

`The book is strongly rooted in the actual counselling session and therefore practically helpful to all counselling practitioners. There are many features that make this book readable: diagrammatic presentation of the theories advanced, sub-heads giving clarity to the progression of the argument, helpful checklists for couples to complete and useful analysis of underlying issues. This book could become for the next decade what Gerard Egans The Skilled Helper was for a previous decade of students... there is enough in this textbook for the student of couples counselling to gain knowledge and understanding of the labyrinthine paths of the marital map - Counselling, The Journal of the British Association for Counselling

This practical, skill-based book will help therapists build effective interventions with couples, helping them work towards establishing successful, fulfilling relationships. The author offers a model that cuts across theoretical disciplines, integrating cognitive-behavioural, rational-emotive, family systems, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.

Using theories and findings from research, Linda Berg-Cross bases her approach around four basic domains of relationships: resiliency; development of social support; adaptability; and self-fulfilment. She then builds on each to explore common issues that can lead to trouble within relationships, including anger, depression, anxiety, parenting, home and paid work, in-laws, communication, sexuality and spirituality. The book also includes: self-assessment questionnaires and therapeutic exercises that therapists can use with clients; case examples; intervention suggestions; and outlines for planning group sessions for couples.