The Disordered Couple - Paperback

by Len Sperry (Editor), Katherine Helm (Editor), Jon Carlson (Editor)

The Disordered Couple, Second Edition, focuses on couples with psychiatric disorders and/or relational disorders that significantly impact their relationship, mental health, and well-being. It is the first and only book to provide mental health professionals and trainees with cutting-edge, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based clinical strategies for working effectively with disordered couples.

While maintaining its focus on disordered couples, this second edition adds several new features and considers key trends that have impacted the structure of couples and families since the original edition appeared, including the influence of social media and technology, legalization of same-sex marriage, increases in the availability of Internet pornography, and changes in societal norms regarding romantic relationships. The disorders covered reflect revisions to the DSM-5 and both psychiatric disorders and relational disorders, and the book highlights clinically relevant and culturally sensitive intervention practices for working with a wide variety of disordered couples. Chapters also include a section on specific multicultural implications for the type of couple discussed.

With proven strategies for effectively assessing, conceptualizing, and implementing treatment with disordered couples, this book is an essential reference for marital, clinical, counseling, and psychiatry professionals, as well as trainees in these areas. The Disordered Couple, Second Edition, will be of great assistance to mental health professionals in providing disordered couples with the most up-to-date, culturally sensitive, and relevant clinical care.

Author Biography

Len Sperry, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor of Mental Health Counseling and Director of Clinical Training at Florida Atlantic University and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin, U.S.A. He is an early pioneer in psychotherapy outcome research, a leader in the treatment of personality disorders and disordered couples, and an originator of spiritually oriented psychotherapy. Among his 1000+ publications aresix on psychopathology and eight on families and couples.

Katherine Helm, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, U.S.A., and a psychologist and supervisor of clinical training at a university counseling center. She has authored several publications about multicultural issues in mental health, couples and sexuality issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses. Katherine has also appeared in training videos for counselors and therapists.

Jon Carlson, Psy.D., Ed.D., was, until his death, a Distinguished Professor at Adler University in Chicago, U.S.A. He authored 62 books and produced 300 instructional videos used to train the next generation of practitioners. He has received lifetime achievement awards from professional associations including the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, and the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.