ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a clinical overview, goals, challenges and a treatment process for common presenting problems of couples in crisis, so clinician can hit the ground running. It discusses an important broader treatment map, a common one that runs through much of couple and family work, namely that of combining such work with individual treatment. Certain problems clearly benefit from medication or require medical coordination and/or individual therapy, such as anger management or addictions. The goal of individual therapy is for the aggressive partner to learn to self-regulate and take responsibility. As with the map for affairs, the treatment map around violence hopefully offers clinician a clear outline of dos and don’ts, based on the key of a brief approach, on which to build. The term domestic violence generally stirs images of some abusive brute who literally beats down anyone in his path—women and children alike.
