The technique called "two-marriage therapy" (conjoint cotherapy by married cotherapy teams) has been developed to help couples in marital crises to confront the elusive nature of marriage. This paper attempts to show how the presence of a married cotherapy team adds a significant salutary perspective on the marriage in conflict. (Author)

Addresses issues of supervision for counselors in training who are moving from individual practice to systemic family sessions. Transition issues are identified and addressed. Recommendations for training in such areas as cotherapy, team approach, and basic skills applications in systemic models are offered. (Author/MKA)

This paper summarizes the current use and abuse of co-therapy. The reported clinical experiences of several co-therapist teams, including spouse co-therapists, are also discussed. It appears that co-therapy will remain controversial until outcomes are rigorously measured and compared with the results of other therapeutic modalities in a…

This paper provides a rationale for group pre-marriage counseling based on the social nature of factors influencing the marriage model. The author suggests that while group pre-marriage counseling invites disillusionment, it offers the antidote--the realization that disillusionment occurred not necessarily because of a bad choice, but because of…

Reviews contemporary literature which provides a theoretical base for female-male co-therapy teams as the most likely modality to mediate sex bias in couple counseling. An egalitarian co-therapy team can encourage change by modeling independent yet mutually supportive and facilitative roles. (JAC)

Evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral marital therapy (BMT) in aiding distressed couples (N=30) and explored the relative effectiveness of cotherapists versus single therapist. Results affirmed the overall effectiveness of BMT. A cotherapy team and a single therapist were equally effective. No differences were found between immediate therapy…

Experimentally examined how therapist sex role behaviors and subject sex roles influence perceptions of cotherapists conducting marital therapy. Analyzed the relationship between perceived therapist competence and verbal dominance, the effectiveness of traditional and nontraditional sex role styles, and sex-type related to preference for female…

Distressed couples (N=15) were randomly assigned to group, conjoint, or waiting list conditions. Behavioral communication treatment package administered over eight sessions and was evaluated via multidimensional assessments was found to be highly effective modality for resolution of marital dysfunction. Both group and conjoint treatments were…

Recent developments in the establishment of modern family codes of governing the relationships between husband, wife, and children have provided long needed vehicles which make interdisciplinary cooperation an absolute necessity. Counselors and lawyers must work together, as lawyers, courts, and juries proceed to divide families and property in…

The complex issues in the relationship between cotherapists who are doing sex therapy have not received adequate attention. Differences in status, experience, and training; aspects of the personal relationship between therapists; and the sexual content of their work are typical issues that arise and can affect the outcome of treatment. (Author/NG)

Investigated the effectiveness of communication training in treating marital discord for conjoint and conjoint group modalities. Results showed that conjoint couples (N=16) improved on five of seven outcome variables, while conjoint group couples (N=13) improved on two. One-year follow-up showed substantial reduction in treatment gains. (WAS)

Treated a sample of 77 distressed middle- and lower-class couples using conjoint therapy. Couple and therapist therapy behavior were assessed. A variety of sex and social class differences were found, suggesting that no one marital therapy technique will be appropriate for both sexes and different SES backgrounds. (JAC)

This paper reviews literature on cotherapy with special reference to therapeutic outcome. The review covers sex therapy, group therapy, and family and marital therapy. It considers both patient and cotherapist variables. The most widely addressed effect of cotherapy upon patients is presented in terms of treatment process and not treatment…

Addresses clinical and methodological issues in conducting the Marital Systems Study, a research project evaluating the efficacy of systems-oriented conjoint treatment with couples in which one spouse is abusing alcohol. These include standardizing and monitoring the intervention and developing an interactional perspective on the alcohol-related…