Behavioural and empathic elements of systemic couple therapy: the Exeter Model and a case study of depression.

The UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence, under its remit to establish evidence-based treatments for clinical conditions, has recommended behaviourally based couples treatment for depression. A project, the Exeter Model, to establish a method for evaluating systemic work defined within the spirit of these guidelines is reported upon. A heuristic division of systemic work relevant to working with depression into behavioural strategies and empathic strategies is described. Finally, a clinical case outlining the Exeter Model is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]