ABSTRACT
Couples counseling can be done with one person as it is not the amount of people in the therapy room that distinguishes it as couples counseling but the focus of the therapy—a focus on what is occurring between two people. Combined couples therapy is an integration of concurrent and conjoint when some sessions are held individually with each partner and some sessions both partners participate. This decision to utilize the term couples counseling instead of marriage counseling is significant as it is inclusive rather than exclusive. It is important for therapists to be cognizant of the changing trends in couplehood as these impacts the internal and external dynamics of the couple. Satisfied couples had more positive than negative behaviors, dissatisfied couples had more negative behaviors than positive, and couples in therapy had about equal amounts of positive and negative behaviors. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
