Couple Therapy: A New Hope-Focused Approach (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books)

Following the successful Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling, Jennifer Ripley and Everett Worthington Jr. have written a new book that expands upon their previous theoretical approach while describing in detail new practical interventions for couple counseling and enrichment. Weaving together classic cases outlined in Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling and over 75 brand new practical interventions, Ripley and Worthington root their practical examples in an even deeper theoretical framework and research in attachment and intimate bonds. Written with the couple counselor in mind, this book occupies a rare niche that is accessible not only to therapists and counselors but also to pastors and married couples alike. Both licensed clinical psychologists and experienced counselors, the authors base this follow-up work on the pillars of their Hope-Focused Couples Approach. The assessment tools included help facilitate improved marriages in many settings, and the combination of theory and real-life case studies easily integrates into the practices of professional counselors and researchers as well as into the lives of couples. Instructor Resources for classroom use include activities, video demonstrations of the authors in couples therapy, audio lectures, testbank, chapter summaries and a sample syllabus.

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.

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"This book is a clear, organized, integrative and extremely pragmatic approach to couples counseling that helps therapists carefully tailor their treatments to couples' specific needs. Everyone from the novice to the experienced therapist can find something of great value in what these authors have to offer. Their attention to framing therapeutic tasks around couple strengths in order to better address deficits and, perhaps more importantly, give couples hope is particularly novel and thought-provoking. I found several appealing new strategies that I am looking forward to integrating into my own couples work; I am sure the reader will find many useful ideas as well."

-- Kristina Coop Gordon, professor of psychology and associate director of clinical training, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

"If you are looking for a book that integrates hope, faith and love with best practices in couple's work, this book is the one to buy. Couple Therapy: A New Hope-Focused Approach is an A to Z guide to successful couple treatment that is comprehensive and research based, but also filled with interventions and practical help. Worthington and Ripley have taken a good approach and made it great. Speaking as a licensed marriage and family therapist for over thirty years, this is a resource you need to add to your library today."

-- Linda Mintle, chair, division of behavioral health, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine

"Ripley and Worthington provide a text that is built on their previous work, and innovates in providing hope-filled interventions for clinicians and couples. I look forward to having my students use this book as a foundation for their training in working with couples. I also look forward to integrating these interventions into my own work with couples (and in my own marriage) . Ripley and Worthington are building on the current research in attachment theory, cultural contexts impacting relationships and neurobiology. In addition, they are faithfully infusing Christian distinctiveness into these domains. What emerges is a text that assists clinicians to provide counsel based in current research, best practices and Christian virtues (e.g. Colossians 3) . If you work with couples or teach graduate students how to do couples therapy, this book is a must for your clinical 'tool box.'"

-- David J. Van Dyke, associate professor and director of Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Wheaton College

"Couple Therapy represents a unique, original and long-overdue contribution to the field of marriage counseling. In fact, this is indeed the most significant integrative resource for Christian couples therapy published in the twenty-first century. From theory to first steps to case studies, worksheets and handouts to specific interventions, this clearly written book is a gold mine, a library of resources in one volume, giving counselors a practical road map. It builds on a strong biblical and theological foundation, is research informed, scientifically sound, empirically validated, evidence based and therapeutically rich. Both professional and pastoral counselors will find this an invaluable resource. Jen and Ev have given us a remarkable gift. It will touch your heart, stimulate your mind, increase your confidence and encourage your practice. Simply put: if you work with couples you need to invest in this book. It will be required reading of all of my students, and it will be a resource you will refer to often."

-- Gary J. Oliver, executive director of The Center for Healthy Relationships and professor of psychology and practical theology at John Brown University

"As president of an organization with nearly fifty thousand Christian counselors, I am passionate about connecting those who help others with therapeutic approaches that are both evidence based and biblically sound. In Couple Therapy Ev Worthington and Jennifer Ripley present one of the top -- if not the top! -- marriage counseling approaches available today. This book is packed full of research, insights and over seventy-five new counseling and coaching techniques. A must for every licensed therapist, pastoral counselor, marriage coach, lay counselor and graduate student!"

-- Tim Clinton, president, American Association of Christian Counselors, and