What is couple, marriage and family therapy? A family’s patterns of behavior influences the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn’t just the person – even if only a single person is interviewed and treated – it is the set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.
“Marriage and Family Therapy is: Brief, solution focused, specific, with attainable therapeutic goals and designed with the “end in mind.”
What Is your training in marriage and family therapy?
As a Clinical Member of The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT) for nearly 20 years, and a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist in British Columbia, I have completed graduate training in Family Systems Therapy at Goddard College and Norwich University in Vermont leading to a Master’s Degree in Family Therapy. This included two years of full time supervised training before obtaining my AAMFT Clinical Member status. Later, during my APA clinical psychology internship I completed additional coursework and clinical supervision in marriage and family therapy at the doctoral level. (You should be aware that while many mental health professionals say they provide “marriage and family therapy” only Registered Marriage and Family Therapists have meet the educational and clinical training standards of the British Columbia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.)
Are there specific theories or models you are trained in and follow?
I provide therapy and counselling services to individuals, couples and families using the clinically proven techniques of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and the theories and practices of Dr. John Gottman. I have also trained in Imago Relationship Therapy with Harville Hendrix during the 1990′s at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Additionally, as part of my training I underwent supervision in Structural, Strategic and Bowen’s Family Systems theory therapy. Today I would say the main focus of my work comes from Dr. Gottman’s newest researched based interventions and the application of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to marriage and couple’s work.
Do you work with entire families?
Often families come to therapy for issues may not be related directly to family system problems. When they are, an entire family may be seen. Sometimes, after an initial evaluation we may focus on parenting skills, and at other times individual members of the couple or family are seen for therapy that may focus on communications and relationship skills. This is a decision we make together at our first meeting based upon your needs and perceptions of the issues. Usually our work together focuses on issues relating to the family structure and communications skills.
Do you have suggestions for self-help reading for couples who need help just with their relationship?
The book I most often recommend is Dr. Gottman’s The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work or Why Marriages Succeed or Fail. These are an excellent place to start. To order Dr. Gottman’s books, CDs and DVDs, as well as other useful self-help materials for couples, click here. I also have copies of Dr. Gottman’s books, CD’s and DVDs available in my office. Also, one excellent book for couples that is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is Dr. Aaron Beck’s book Love is Never Enough.
How much does couple or marriage therapy cost? And how long does it go on?
My fees are slightly below those recommended by the British Columbia Psychological Association, $160.00 per hour. On average couples are seen for six to eight sessions with any necessary follow-up consultation. Usually my goal is to connect you with a method for improving your relationship and teaching you the skills you need to learn and apply that method yourself. Often that means spending part of our session talking about issues, skills and problems for the week, and part of our time is spend working through a structured intervention program you can continue on your own.