ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author discusses the strengths and weaknesses of relying solely on practice evidence-based wisdom when working with couples and families. Often, experienced couple and family therapists rely on pattern recognition to help identify common couple and family patterns or dynamics that contribute to the development and maintenance of specific types of presenting problems. Over time, they have perfected specific sets of therapeutic techniques and strategies that have worked with stabilizing these couple and family difficulties, like a lock and key. A growing body of research by Gary Klein on pattern recognition with professionals that have to make quick decisions on their feet (police officers, military servicemen and women, firefighters, etc.) has demonstrated that these professionals rely heavily on pattern recognition and practice evidence-based wisdom to guide their decision-making with problem-solving. Another fascinating body of research covered in this chapter is the role of wisdom with decision-making. A case example is presented with a family to help illustrate how the use of pattern recognition and practice evidence-based wisdom had contributed to a positive treatment outcome occurring. To address the weaknesses of relying solely on pattern recognition and practice evidence-based wisdom, the author presents eight mental traps and cognitive biases that can contribute to poor therapeutic decision-making and worse yet, premature client dropout occurring with couples and families. A case example is presented of a challenging couple where one partner dropped out of treatment due to the therapist falling prey to some of the mental traps and cognitive biases and to relying solely on pattern recognition and practice evidence-based wisdom.
