PSYCH 614ATheory and Application in Couples' Therapy

This course is designed to familiarize students with the theories and associated techniques of couples' therapy and to provide an overview of basic and applied research in the study of intimate relationships. A range of therapeutic perspectives will be surveyed but particular emphasis will be given to the cognitive-behavioural perspective. The first section of the course will focus on assessment and treatment of relationship distress; the second section will cover basic research on cognition, affect and behaviour in material/dyadic relationships; the final section will cover specialized topics in couples' therapy such as multicultural relationships, same gender relationship, domestic violence, infidelity, and individual psychopathology. In addition to learning the theoretical and empirical basis of marital/couples' therapy, the course will prepare students to work with couples in distress. Only students in the Clinical Psychology program are permitted to take this course.