Discussion: treating external factors | SOCW 6456 – Social Work Practice With Couples and Family Systems | Walden University

n ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
American Politician

Couples are impacted by many external factors that may negatively affect their system.  Couples are impacted by common life stage transitions (e.g., children introduced to the system by birth or adoption, empty nests when children become adults, blended families), as well as uncommon life events such as infidelity, substance use, financial challenges, gambling problems.  When working with couples it is important to remain aware of any external factors the couple is experiencing to help understand the impact on the dyad.

For this Discussion, search the Walden Library for an article that discusses treating couples where an external factor noted above has negatively impacted the couple to the point they are considering divorce. 

By Day 4

Post an analysis of the article you found. In the analysis, identify which theory was utilized to treat this issue.  Then, discuss if the treatment was effective or ineffective in helping the couple work through the issue. Finally, explain whether or not you believe there is some other intervention that would be beneficial for this situation.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Required Readings

Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Chapter 15, “Couple Therapy and the Treatment of Affairs”
Chapter 21, “Couple Therapy and Alcohol Problems”

Williams, M. (2012). Couples counseling: A step by step guide for therapists. Boston, MA: Viale Publishing.
Chapter 10, “Forgiveness”

Abbasi, I. S., & Alghamdi, N. G. (2017). When Flirting Turns Into Infidelity: The Facebook Dilemma. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 45(1), 1-14.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Coyle, S. M. (n.d). Integrating Spirituality in Marriage and Family Therapy Training. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Family Therapy, 38(1), 142-155.

Doherty, W. J., & Harris, S. M. (2017). When one partner has an affair. In Helping couples on the brink of divorce: Discernment counseling for troubled relationships (pp. 135- 147). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/0000029-010

Fiori, K. L., Rauer, A. J., Birditt, K. S., Brown, E., Jager, J., & Orbuch, T. L. (2017). Social network typologies of black and white married couples in midlife. Journal Of Marriage And Family, 79(2), 571-589.

Singh, R. (n.d). Intimate Strangers? Working with Interfaith Couples and Families. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Family Therapy, 38(1), 7-14.

Worthington, E. J., & Sandage, S. J. (2016). Forgiveness in couples and family therapy. In Forgiveness and spirituality in psychotherapy: A relational approach (pp. 223-245). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14712-011