Wetchler - Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy

SECOND EDITION

As a couple and family therapist I am aware that none of us exist in isolation. We are all part of a larger system that helps us develop and survive. This book, as well, was nurtured and supported by an interconnected web of individuals who all played an important role. If any of them had not been a part of the process in some way, I am sure that the outcome would not be as good as it is. I first want to thank all of the chapter authors for their exceptional contributions. When I invited each of the first edition authors to re-up for the second edition, they unanimously and immediately signed on. Moreover, all additional authors who were invited also immediately consented. It was so gratifying to know that all of them shared my enthusiasm for this project, and their excitement shows in every chapter.

I also want to thank Bill Cohen and the staff at Haworth Press who published the first edition of this book. Their nurturance of the initial project ensured that I would have the energy and fortitude for a second go round. I am also grateful to the staff at Routledge Press, the new home of this book, for facilitating its transition to their imprint, and exhibiting a great amount of patience during the somewhat chaotic and lengthy process of bringing it to light.

I think it is also important to mention my colleagues, Lorna Hecker, Jerry Bercik, and Kathy Schultz. We worked phenomenally hard through several rocky years to see that our academic program stayed on track and continued to thrive. It was in this environment of determination and perseverance that this book evolved. Without this hardworking team, this book would not have been completed.

Further, I have a special thanks to my family, Bernie, Jorie, Diane, Sherry, Daniel, Jessica Lily, Jessica Marie, and Ryan. Their love and support has been a godsend. They cheer me on through all of my projects and remind me of what is truly important in life.

Finally, I dedicate this book to my spouse, best friend, lover, and partner for life, Carole Schwartz. She provided the initial spark for the first edition as well as numerous other projects. Our relationship has allowed us both to grow personally, professionally, relationally, and spiritually. I look forward to each new day knowing we share the adventure together. I love you, honey!

Jerome F. Adams ,

Department of Human Development

and Family Studies

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, Rhode Island

Barbara V. Andrews

Department of Counselor Education

Adams State College

Alamosa, Colorado

Joan D. Atwood

Marriage and Family Therapy of

New York

Rockville Centre, New York

Gary H. Bischof

Department of Counselor Education

and Counseling Psychology

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Richard J. Bischoff

Marriage and Family Theraphy

Program

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska

Anna R. Brandon

Department of Psychiatry

and

Department of Clinical Sciences

University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center

Dallas, Texas

Mary E. Dankoski

Department of Family Medicine

Indiana University

Indianapolis, Indiana

Wayne H. Denton

Department of Psychiatry

University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center

Dallas, Texas

W. Kim Halford

School of Psychology

University of Queensland

Brisbane, Australia

Lorna Hecker

Marriage and Family Therapy

Program

Purdue University Calumet

Hammond, Indiana

Karen B. Helmeke

Department of Counselor Education

and Counseling Psychology

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Katherine M. Hertlein

Department of Marriage and Family

Therapy

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Emily Klucinec

Marriage and Family Therapy of

New York

Rockville Centre, New York

Jeffry Larson

School of Family Life

Brigham Young University

Provo, Utah

Janie K. Long

Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

and Transgender Life

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Kevin P. Lyness

Department of Applied

Psychology

Antioch University New England

Keene, New Hampshire

Eric E. McCollum

Northern Virginia Center

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and

State University

Blacksburg, Virginia

Marcia L. Michaels

Marriage and Family Therapy

Program

Alliant International University

San Diego, California

Thorana S. Nelson

Department of Family, Consumer,

and Human Development

Utah State University

Logan, Utah

Shobha Pais

Department of Family Medicine

Indiana University

Indianapolis, Indiana

Shruti S. Poulsen

Counseling Psychology and

Counselor Education Program

University of Colorado

Denver, Colorado

Anne M. Prouty

Department of Applied and

Professional Studies

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Thomas W. Roberts

Department of Child and Family

Development

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Sandra M. Stith

Marriage and Family Therapy

Program

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas

Cheryl L. Storm

Marriage and Family Therapy

Program

Pacific Lutheran University

S. Tacoma, Washington

Neal J. Sullivan

Department of Family, Consumer,

and Human Development

Utah State University

Logan, Utah

Volker Thomas

Department of Child Development

and Family Studies

Purdue University

West Lafayette, Indiana

Gerald R. Weeks

Department of Marriage and Family

Therapy

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Lee Williams

Marital and Family Therapy

Program

University of San Diego

San Diego, California

Joseph L. Wetchler , PhD, is a professor and director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana. He is a clinical member and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Wetchler was the recipient of the 2007 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Award for Training, the 2004 Purdue University Calumet Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award, and the 1997 Indiana Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in Family Life. He served as editor of the Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy from 1999 through 2008 and has served on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Family Therapy , the Journal of Family Psychotherapy , the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy , the Journal of GLBT Family Studies , the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy , and the Journal of Clinical Activities , Assignments & Handouts in Psychotherapy Practice . Dr. Wetchler is the editor of the Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy , 1st edition, the coeditor (with Fred Piercy and Katherine M. Hertlein) of the Handbook of the Clinical Treatment of Infidelity , the coeditor (with Jerry Bigner) of Relationship Therapy with Same-Sex Couples , the coeditor (with Volker Thomas and Terri Karis) of Clinical Issues with Interracial Couples , the coeditor (with Lorna Hecker) of An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy , and the coauthor (with Fred Piercy and Douglas Sprenkle) of the Family Therapy Sourcebook , 2nd edition. He also is the author of numerous journal articles on family therapy supervision, family therapy for child and adolescent problems, couple therapy for substance abuse, and the self of the therapist. Dr. Wetchler has been a coinvestigator on a large project funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to study couple therapy approaches for substance-abusing women. He regularly consults to social service agencies and therapists in private practice, and maintains an active couple and family therapy practice in Northwest Indiana. Dr. Wetchler is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Indiana.