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Couple Therapy for Depression

A clinician's guide to integrative practice

Christopher Clulow author David Hewison author Harriet Drake author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:19th Jun '14

Should be back in stock very soon

Couple Therapy for Depression cover

Depression is second after heart disease as the most damaging health condition in the world. The NHS has devoted huge resources to training thousands of psychological therapists to work in 'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies' services specifically to treat depression in adults and couple therapy has been identified as one of the effective ways of treating it. Couple Therapy for Depression is an integrative 20-session couple therapy designed to treat depression in couples where there is also relationship distress. Following the recommendations of the UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence for a behaviourally-based couple therapy treatment, it draws on RCT studies of efficacy as well as 'best practice' in behavioural, cognitive, emotionally-focused, systemic, and psychodynamic couple therapies. Sticking closely to the competencies identified for the treatment of depression and relationship distress in couples, it outlines the ways in which couple therapists can reduce damaging interactions between couples, build emotional openness and closeness, improve communication and behaviour, change unhelpful cognitions and perceptions, and help the couple cope with the ordinary and not-so ordinary stresses that arise in the course of everyday relating. Written by couple therapists who understand deeply the unique challenges of doing therapy with couples, it is based on the training programme for Couple Therapy for Depression commissioned by the NHS for use in its Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services. It begins by describing the causes and consequences of depression, and then focuses on its impact on the adult couple. Highlighting the particular techniques needed in safe and effective work with distressed couples, it goes through the different ways in which the couple's feelings, thoughts, and behaviours need to be understood and worked with in order to reduce relationship distress. It outlines the treatment of 4 different couples to illustrate the therapy in action and will be helpful for any therapist wanting to enhance their work with couples.

The book is a stimulating read, and an excellent step by step primer on depression and its treatment for trainee therapists and even for people seeking therapy. It also provides a useful and informative update for more experienced clinicians. The way therapists essential competences were decided and the training developed is fascinating and would be useful to other psychological therapy organisations whose work has not yet been widely adopted. I particularly like the use of case examples and of reflective practice questions at the end of each chapter. * Professor the Baroness Shiela Hollins, Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, past Chair of the Division of Mental Health *
The authors of this highly recommended volume are not couple therapists for nothing. They manage to marry a well-structured, integrative, evidence-based text, with warm, clinically-relevant case-examples, underpinned by deep practical wisdom and helpful guidelines. A book that lists both 39 therapeutic competencies for couple therapists, and a taxonomy of couples' kisses makes for compelling reading -- for therapists of all schools, and at every level of experience. * Professor Jeremy Holmes *
This is an important book that will become a core text for all therapists who work with couples. By bringing together both a review of the research on couple therapy and a framework for clinical practice, the book will give therapists the skills and knowledge to work confidently and effectively with couples who are troubled by depression. * Nick Turner Former Director of the Relate Institute and Head of Clinical Services at Relate *

ISBN: 9780199674145

Dimensions: 232mm x 152mm x 17mm

Weight: 411g

282 pages