Joan Delores Atwood, Ph.D.
MFT 238
Couples’ Therapy
4 s.h.
Fall Semester
e-mail: CPRJDA@Hofstra.Edu
phone: 516-463-5756
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a
comprehensive and thorough couple’s therapy workshop. Through the use of role playing, videotape, lectures, and
demonstrations, students are exposed to relevant theories of couple
therapy. Focus is on interviewing,
assessment of interactional dynamics and intervention. Topics covered are: mate selection processes including a brief
review of the current research, major theories of couple dynamics, different
therapies as they apply to couples, presentation of different relevant
techniques such as the creation of positive expectancies and exchanges, cognitive
restructuring, contingency contracting, and marriage enrichment. Treatment strategies are examined for a variety of problem areas such as
sexual problems, discipline of children, partner abuse (emotional and
physical), family problems, extramarital affairs, jealousy and conflicts
regarding affiliation and independence.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of the
course are to familiarize the student with the different theories and therapies
relating to couples, to assist the student in understanding couple dynamics,
to familiarize the student with different communicative
styles among couples, to see different couple therapy techniques demonstrated
and to then practice these techniques during role plays, and to explore the
various problems that are presented in therapy.
When the student has
successfully completed this course, s/he can be expected to:
·
be familiar with mate
selection processes
·
be familiar with the
mate selection research as it is presented from the disciplines of biology,
psychology, sociology, and family
therapy
·
be abreast of the
different communicative styles of couples
·
be conversant in the
various theories and therapies as they relate to couples and couple dynamics
·
be introduced to
several couple’s therapy techniques
·
continue to learn
about the role of the therapist