Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Couples: A Contextual Approach [Hardcover]

Norman B. Epstein (Author), Donald H. Baucom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1557989125 | ISBN-13: 978-1557989123 | Edition: 1

Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Couples expands the boundaries of cognitive behavioral therapy with a framework that goes beyond partners' moment-to-moment interactions and takes into account the personal characteristics of the two individuals, their dyadic interactions, and influences of the couple's interpersonal and physical environment. The authors emphasize what each partner brings to the relationship, including each person's past relationship experiences, current motives or needs, personality style, and psychopathology. Furthermore, they consider how the couple's environment influences relationship functioning, including such factors as the couple's family systems, community and cultural influences, and other life-circumstances such as job loss or a death in the family. The authors also focus on ways to intervene when the couple struggles with developmental changes experienced by either partner or the couple, such as new challenges when children move into adolescence. This contextual approach helps couples understand their healthy individual differences, any unresolved personal issues and possible psychopathology, and individual and familial needs. This groundbreaking text moves beyond a focus on dysfunctional aspects of relationships to provide an equal emphasis on the contributions that positive behavior, cognitions, and emotions play in couples' relationships. In addition, individuals' discrete behavioral, cognitive, and affective responses are viewed within the context of broader relationship patterns and themes such as boundaries, distribution of power, and investment of oneself in the relationship. Chapters explore interventions for modifying behavior, cognitions, and deficits or excesses in emotional responses, ways to address individual psychopathology, strategies for assisting couples in coping with environmental demands, and approaches for enhancing relationship strengths. The authors provide a uniqu

Product Details

• Hardcover: 570 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (June 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557989125
• ISBN-13: 978-1557989123
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #288,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, February 28, 2006

By 

Jenny W. (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Couples: A Contextual Approach (Hardcover)

Well, I had to buy this book for a class taught by one of the authors...the book looks pretty intimidating when you first get it, but it's really been helpful for me as a therapist dealing with couples and their issues. Plus, Dr. Epstein is one of the best in the field at couple's work, so I think it's helpful to learn from him!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great mixture of examples and research, February 23, 2006

By 

Hege Riise - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Couples: A Contextual Approach (Hardcover)

This is one of the better textbooks I have read in a while. The authors provide many relevant examples to illustrate techniques and theory. In addition, there is a fair amount of research presented, lending support to their theories. The book is set up as an illustration of one type of therapeutic approach to couples and marital therapy. It is also fairly easy reading. However, there are topics not explicitely discussed in the textbook, so supplementary materials are helpful for a better understanding and use of the therapy approach.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, January 12, 2008

By 

P. rowden - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Enhanced Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Couples: A Contextual Approach (Hardcover)

As a therapist I try to find ways of fine-tuning my craft. I feel this book will be helpful in aiding my clients in the healing process.