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Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy

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Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

Synonyms

Behavioral marital therapy; CBCT; Cognitive behavioral marital therapy; Couples therapy; Marital therapy

Definition

Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT) has become one of the most well researched approaches for the treatment of marital and couple distress, with growing empirical support for it effectiveness. Theoretically grounded in both social learning and social exchange theories, the premise of CBCT is that an individual’s behavior both influences and is influenced by his/her environment. When applied to a marriage or other long-term relationship, this premise suggests that one partner’s behavior influences and is influenced by the actions of the other. CBCT typically focuses on two aspects of this process: (a) exchanges of positive and negative behaviors; (b) communication skills that influence the interaction process (Epstein, Baucom, & Daiuto, 1997).

Current Knowledge

Couples and Health

A patient’s ongoing, long-term relationship can influence a range of...

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References and Readings

  • Baucom, D. H., Shoham, V., Mueser, K. T., Daiuto, A. D., & Stickle, T. (1998). Empirically supported couple and family interventions for marital distress and adult mental health problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 53–88.

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Sher, T.G. (2011). Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_415

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_415

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-79947-6

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