Product Description

A complete marital therapy program based on the author's much heralded research on marital success and failure. Research on why some couples divorce and others experience sustained bliss has led to a theory, including the fact that successful couples have an abundance of good feelings toward one another and are able to deal with inevitable conflicts without becoming hostile. This book offers a theoretically based systematic approach to assessing and treating dysfunctional marriages. It is packed with specific interventions and exercises.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9920 in Books
• Published on: 1999-08-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 480 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780393702828
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
If it isn't a classic already, it will be very soon…[R]efreshing, invigorating, and renewing. -- Jay Memmott, Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

There is an astonishing wealth of assessment tools…[T]horough and insightful. -- Deborah Beckman, MS, Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter

[A]n important addition to the field of couple therapy...the first time that a couple therapy is developed from marital research -- International Academy for Marital Spirituality Review, Alfons Vansteenwegen

About the Author
John M. Gottman, Ph.D., is William Mifflin Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is the author of over two dozen books, including Seven Principles to Making Marriage Work, The Heart of Parenting (with J. DeClaire), When Men Batter Women (with Neil Jacobson), and Why Marriages Succeed or Fail.

Customer Reviews

Profound view of marital therapy
This remarkable book advances the understanding of what works in marital and, I believe, family therapy. Early chapters review marital theories, and how they lived up to their assumptions when tested through well designed research. Gottman presents a very respectful attitude toward the marital couple and emphasizes the importance of honoring the goal of establishing and supporting the couple's self sufficiency. The chapter titled Buffering Children From Marital Conflict is an insightful introduction into how to help parents develop the tools to strenghten their children's resilience. As a person who has worked with at risk children and families for 17 years and has recently completed a masters degree in mental health counseling, I have read my share of family counseling books. From Satir to Whitaker to Lang to Minuchen(sp)... (you get the point). This is by far the best book on the subject!

Comprehensive overview!
This book by John Gottman deals with nearly all aspects of marital therapy: myths and mistakes, assessment methods, and interventions.
It is strictly research oriented, i.e. Gottman does not follow a special theoretical school such as psychodynamic of cognitive-behavioral marital therapy. His findings from the last 30 years include many diversions from classical marital therapy as well as some really surprising finding. Let me give you just one example: active listening, the core concept of many therapies is NOT fundamental for a good marriage. Actually, even happily married couples very rarely use active listening. This is not to say that active listening is harmful, it is just not necessary for developing and maintaining a happy relationship.
Gottman offers his own version of clinically proven interventions, their respective assumptions and sections for dealing with problems.
This book is aimed for therapists and counselors. They will find a wealth of information, especially a lot of assessment instruments.
Every professional in the area of marital therapy should read this book. You will surely find many recommendations. After all, it's the clients' health you are serving. Gottman's interventions have proven to be greatly beneficial for couples: his clients divorce half as often as clients treated with traditional marriage therapy.
That alone should be reason enough to actively use his methods.
The interested lay person should read Gottman's book "The 7 principles for making marriage work" which explains his findings in easy to understand language.
By and large, this book is an excellent example of a professional resource book!

Some ideas about the Book
This book is a very useful and practical tool for practitioner in the fild of counselling - especially the assessment instruments.It also covers topics that are recurring in difficult marital relationships, such as resolvong solvable and perpetual problems.I find the book very resourceful, and full of good, practical advice.This book is a great help in my practice as a marriage counselor.