Conjoint Marital Therapy: A Practitioner's Approach to Single-System Evaluation

Abstract

Although some practitioners are beginning to use single-system evaluation methods with various client problems and treatment perspectives, many practitioners are still unsure about how to use these methods with more than one individual in a client system. The authors demonstrate the applicability of a practice-driven, single-system evaluation to conjoint therapy. The primary focus of this integration of practice and research methods is to assist the practitioner in making informed treatment decisions based on the couple's progress toward the attainment of measurable treatment goals. A case presentation using a cognitive–dynamic approach in treating marital disaffection illustrates the specific activities involved in an evaluation.