Couples in Conflict: Clinical Techniques for Navigating Sexual and Relationship Control Struggles

In the first book of its kind, Dr. Stephen J. Betchen teaches  established and training marriage and family therapists to recognize the  complexity and contradictions of control struggles in couples and,  uniquely, how to clinically treat these issues to create a harmonious,  long relationship.

Integrating conflict theory, psychodynamic  systems work, and the basic principles of sex therapy, the book aims to  help professionals recognize and assess control struggles in couples,  detect and examine their origin, and offer techniques to help break the  struggle and alleviate its associated symptoms. Chapters begin by  defining control and where the origin of control comes from before  exploring how these origins and other sociocultural factors impact how  we choose our partners. The book’s second half examines how clinicians  should assess and treat couples with both sexual and nonsexual symptoms,  how to avoid being caught in the control crossfire as a therapist, and  how to terminate sessions and prevent relapses.

Filled with case  studies and useful interventions throughout, this book aims to help  clinicians working with all couples across cultures and sexual  orientations find a common ground. It is indispensable for training and  graduate clinicians that work with couples, especially couples with  sexual disorders.