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Group practitioners are increasingly expected to offer treatment to persons convicted of assaultive and violent crimes. This article discusses a brief, solution-oriented approach for treatment of this population. We begin by defining the target population for this treatment approach and make distinctions regarding clients that may and may not be appropriate for placement in solution-oriented groups. A brief overview of solution-oriented treatment, including solution-oriented groupwork, is offered. We conclude by applying these concepts to treatment of assaultive behaviors in various stages of group development and offer anecdotal feedback from clients who have participated in our solution-oriented groups.

Proposes an ecological perspective for understanding the complex phenomenon of adolescent sexual offending. Pertinent research findings are incorporated within the individual, microsystems, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystemic levels. Examines the characteristics of adolescent sex offenders and asks how the school system and families can work together to prevent adolescent sexual offenses. (RJM)

ABSTRACT: A biopsychosocial systems approach to the understanding and management of premature ejaculation (PE) is described here as a basis for concurrently addressing the multiple factors that have been associated [...]

Obsessive-compulsive features contribute to academic failure in children and adolescents. Yet, only limited research of such features and academic performance has been conducted with college students. This study examined how [...]

Authors present the content, delivery, and benefits of a one-semester honors college lecture series on college student mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an update to "Thematic Analysis of the Experiences of Wives Who Stay with Husbands Who Transition Male-to-Female," which was published in Michigan Family Review in 2011. A lot has happened in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual+ (LGBTQA+) arena since the initial article. This current article begins with a brief overview of the recent sociopolitical context and evolving vocabulary regarding transgender individuals and couples, and then addresses recent literature and thinking on transgender couple and sexual issues, gender non-conforming partnerships, self-esteem issues for cisgender partners, faith and spirituality as resources, and recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research tested the hypothesis that changing the language of intake procedures could be beneficial. Two randomized studies compared solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) intake procedures with traditional intake procedures. In Study 1, clients completed either a standard written intake form with problem-focused questions or an SFBT Short Intake Form. Clients answering the solution-focused questions described significantly more solutions and significantly fewer problems than the comparison group. Study 2 compared an SFBT intake interview with a DSM-based diagnostic intake interview. Clients in the SFBT intake interview improved significantly on the Outcome Questionnaire (OQ) before their first therapy session, whereas those in the diagnostic intake did not. Both studies demonstrated that intake procedures are not neutral information gathering and that strength-based questions have advantages. Using solution-focused language in intake procedures can change the information that clients provide and even lead to pre-treatment change. Both intake procedures are ready for adoption by practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transgender literature dealing with couple and family dynamics is limited. Married couples with a transgender partner who wish to remain together have minimal information available and few models about how this type of transition might be negotiated. This qualitative study analyzed fourteen cases of the wives of male-to- female (MTF) transsexuals from Virginia Erhardt's 2007 book, Head over Heels: Wives Who Stay with Cross-Dressers and Transsexuals. The authors used thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to identify and organize key themes in the experiences of wives who stayed with MTF transsexual partners. Themes clustered in three main areas: 1) Intrapersonal, 2) Couple Relationship, and 3) Family and Social Relationships. Conclusions from this study and implications for human service professionals are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical affection and sexual relations are important aspects of most couple relationships. This article examines the extent to which physical intimacy and sexuality are addressed in prominent premarital and relationship education programs in the United States. The six programs reviewed are Premarital Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP), Couples Communication (CC), The Marriage Survival Kit, Relationship Enhancement (RE), PREPARE/ENRICH, and Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS). Brief summaries of each program's attention to sexuality are provided. The authors offer recommendations for the inclusion of sexuality in relationship education programs, with particular focus on more specific attention to sexuality, and expanded consideration of sexuality for diverse forms of couples, such as same-sex or cohabitating couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of the art of the integration of couple therapy with spirituality and religion is presented. Each of three waves of this integration identified in this article have seen an increase in the literature in this area, although only a limited amount in each wave has addressed couple therapy specifically. In the first wave, from 1990-1994, articles set forth arguments for why spirituality should be integrated in therapy. During the second wave, 1995-1999, publications focused on the ways that including spirituality in therapy can enhance as well as harm the therapeutic process. In the third wave, 2000-present, attention has shifted away from whether to include spirituality to how it should be included, and the literature of this period features many practical interventions and suggested guidelines for integrating spirituality and religion into therapy and training. The article concludes with recommendations for further developing the integration of spirituality and religion into couple therapy models, research, and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood nocturnal enuresis, affecting up to 15-20% of young children, has a significant impact upon a child's development and interpersonal relationships. Current etiological explanations and treatment approaches are limited by the biases of those who have attempted to understand this complex problem. A biopsychosocial systems model is proposed as an integrative and more comprehensive framework for enuresis. It is suggested that explicit attention to enhancing a child's sense of personal agency and mastery be included in treatment approaches for this problem. A case example illustrates this biopsychosocial, personal agency-enhancing approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current literature on dropouts in marriage and family therapy includes few studies that focus exclusively on couple therapy and only a limited number of qualitative studies. Clients' perceptions of premature termination are seldom considered. This qualitative case study describes, from both the clients' and the therapist's perspectives, one couple's experience of dropping out of couple therapy after three sessions. Findings from this case study are compared with existing literature and a fourfold typology of dropouts is proposed. We offer recommendations for future research of dropouts in couple therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious and spiritual experiences and practices comprise some of the most important aspects of many people's lives. Yet, for various reasons, mental health practitioners have been hesitant to bring these issues into overt discussions in therapy. This article proposes a four-part framework to assist therapists in addressing religion and spirituality in therapy. The four areas include spiritual issues raised by either the client or therapist, and religious issues raised by either the client or therapist. Guidelines for therapeutic conversation and clinical examples are offered for each of the four areas. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes an ecological perspective for understanding the complex phenomenon of adolescent sexual offending. Pertinent research findings are incorporated within the individual, microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystemic levels as suggested by this model. This perspective is capable of integrating research and treatment approaches from divergent disciplines and varying theoretical perspectives. An ecological perspective suggests consideration of variables and interactions not previously examined that may play a role in the etiology of sexual offenses by adolescents. Implications of this ecological perspective for prevention, treatment and further research are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]