The cognitive constructions coding system (CCCS) was designed for coding client's expressed problem constructions on four dimensions: intrapersonal-interpersonal, internal-external, responsible-not responsible, and linear-circular. This study introduces, and examines the reliability and validity of, a modified version of the CCCS--a version that…

Notes problem of treating clients with intractable difficulties. Presents Gandhi Technique as simple, dramatic and seemingly effective procedure to resolve intractable difficulties. Describes technique and its application in different cases. Discusses several theories which may account for the efficacy of the technique. Proposes that Gandhi…

Assessed substance abuse and domestic violence in family therapy clients. Findings from 262 case records revealed that 12 percent of clients originally presented domestic violence as main issue and 3 percent presented substance abuse as main issue. However, 40 percent had domestic violence as therapeutic issue during treatment, and 30 percent had…

Reports that "accidental" discovery that changes in the problem situation frequently occurs prior to client's first therapy session and that clients can often recall and describe such changes, if prompted. Describes one technique for eliciting reports of pretreatment change from clients and discusses results of informal survey of 30 families who…

Compared symptomatology of nonabused clients (n=148) with physically and sexually abused clients (n=83) in family therapy. Found that majority of clients who had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse in their backgrounds scored in clinical range on scales from Millon Clinical Multiaxial Instrument, in contrast to nonabused clients who tended to…

Describes solution-focused therapy's primary goals being to construct solutions collaboratively with client. Contends that solution-focused therapy can be enhanced by more overtly incorporating emotions into its theoretical framework and therapeutic strategies. Examines role of emotions in solution-focused therapy and suggests several…

Challenges therapists to consider spiritual belief systems of their clients which have served both to strengthen and support their family system and which also may have contributed to development or maintenance of presenting problem. Presents case examples and specific suggestions for clinical practice. (Author/NB)

Presents modification of cost-benefit analysis, cost-cost comparison, as time-effective and simple intervention to help clients who are considering divorce to clarify their own values position, thus enabling clients to make workable decisions from within framework of their value system. Includes three case examples to illustrate model's…

In addition to emotional, physical, and economic issues, battered women from fundamentalist churches have religious issues that need to be addressed. Clergy may not help because of their legalistic attitudes about marriage and sex roles. Explains teachings of fundamentalist churches, explores how they perpetuate violent relationships, and offers…

Behavior of 5 supervisors, 19 trainee family therapists, and 20 clients before, during, and after 88 live supervisory phone-in events was examined to determine the correlates of client cooperation. Isomorphism between behavior of supervisor and therapist was not associated with subsequent client cooperation, nor was any particular category of…

Emphasizes the value of a systemic approach, when encountering life-threatening behavior in a clinical practice. Presents two case studies that employed therapeutic methods derived from systemic therapy. Illustrates the importance of the therapist's ability to speak the client's language in formulating an intervention for reducing the likelihood…

Presents an interventive, consultative method designed to elicit and promote resource-based language between client families and therapists. Through reflective dialogue participants were encouraged to consider different views and beliefs about themselves, each other, and their process together. Use of this process added heightened awareness and…

Written for non-Asian family therapists who must deal with increasing number of Asian-American client families, asserts that cultural sensitivity can be learned and that client and therapist need not have same ethnic background. Describes several culturally important values and offers suggestions on how to orient treatment to fit this client…

Uses a content analysis of the available treatment literature to generate guidelines for use in training and evaluating culturally competent therapists. Guidelines include: use family therapy; act as advocate for the family; assess immigration experience; assess acculturation; respect father; interview family subsystems separately; do not force…

Presents an exercise for training beginning therapists, as well as adaptations of the format. The basic exercise consists of role playing where the client in a therapy session speaks a language not understood by the therapist-in-training. This exercise assists students in becoming more cautious and curious in the co-creation of meaning in therapy.…