Therapists and counselors can find themselves at an impasse when working with "mixed-agenda" couples-where one partner is considering divorce, while the other partner wants to preserve the marriage and start therapy. Such couples are a common and difficult challenge in clinical practice. To help confirm each partner's agenda before taking decisive steps toward either reconciliation or divorce, this book presents a five-session protocol for engaging couples in a process of learning about what has happened to their relationship and each person's contributions to the problems. The goal is to gain clarity and confidence about a direction for their marriage.
William J. Doherty, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, where he directs the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project and the Citizen Professional Center. With his daughter Elizabeth Doherty Thomas, he directs The Doherty Relationship Institute. Dr. Doherty has authored 15 books for professionals and the lay public. He has served as president of the National Council on Family Relations and received the Significant Contribution to the Field of Marriage and Family Therapy Award from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to his clinical research and teaching, he focuses on community initiatives aimed at democratic renewal and positive social change. Steven M. Harris, PhD, LMFT, is a professor and director of the Couple and Family Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota. He has been practicing as a marriage and family therapist for more than 26 years. He also serves as associate director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project. He is involved in a variety of research projects, including the National Divorce Decision-Making Project, and in clinical practice with couples on the brink of divorce. Dr. Harris is the author of more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is the coauthor of Seven Letters That Will Bring You Closer to Your College Student and Should I Try to Work It Out?
Foreword, by Judge Bruce Peterson Introduction Part I. Overview, Theory, and Research Chapter 1. Background and Overview of Discernment Counseling Chapter 2. Theory and Research Part II. Methods of Discernment Counseling Chapter 3. Communicating With Clients Before Starting Discernment Counseling Chapter 4. First Session Protocol Chapter 5. Middle Sessions Protocol Chapter 6. Handling Transitions to Path 3: Couples Therapy Chapter 7. Handling Transitions to Path 2: Divorce Chapter 8. Handling Transitions to Path 1: Status Quo Part III. Common Scenarios in Discernment Counseling Chapter 9. When One Partner Has an Affair Chapter 10. When the Feelings Are Gone Chapter 11. When Neither One is Leaning In Chapter 12. Shifting From Couples Therapy to Discernment Counseling Part IV. Implementing Discernment Counseling in Your Practice Chapter 13. Learning Discernment Counseling Chapter 14. Managing Critical Incidents in Discernment Counseling Chapter 15. How to Build a Practice in Discernment Counseling Appendix: Applications for Lawyers, Mediators, and Clergy References Index About the Authors
Students and lay professionals alike will find this resource very useful in how they view troubled relationships.-- "PsycCRITIQUES" 2017 Choice Outstanding Academic Title. This work is an exceptionally valuable and resourceful manual in that it elucidates protocols to be followed for each of the choices available to couples. It is strongly recommended for all professionals and students working with couples. -- "Choice"
