ABSTRACT
Assessment and treatment are overlapping processes. Once the therapist has a basic understanding of the problem and its onset, duration, and impact upon the couple, it is a good idea to proceed immediately with specific treatment strategies and continue deeper assessment as he or she works to alleviate distress and instill hope. Too much initial history taking may cause the couple to lose interest in treatment and to think therapy is answering questions without being offered any solutions. As the treatment proceeds, the therapist can always (and usually will) obtain new information about the presenting problem as well as new problems that usually emerge. While working with the couple, the therapist can probe for information about one problem while another issue is being concurrently treated. The key is the therapist’s ability to shift back and forth appropriately between assessment and treatment.
