ABSTRACT
Therapists are traditionally trained to identify, diagnose, and remediate the full spectrum of psychopathology (Sperry & Carlson, 1996). Although therapists are initially successful in helping couples and families improve their status, follow-up research shows that these gains seldom maintain themselves (Gottman, 1994b; Jacobson, 1989; Jacobson, Schmaling, & Holtzworth-Munroe, 1987; Snyder, 1999). The degree to which a couple or family follows through with (or adheres to) the planned treatment change process is very low. Failure to adhere is a major obstacle to a successful change, although therapists often deny or are very surprised that it is so common.
