9. Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy: An Acceptance-Based Approach to Improving Relationship Functioning
- James D. Herbert,
- Evan M. Forman
Published Online: 16 MAR 2012
DOI: 10.1002/9781118001851.ch9
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved
Book Title
Acceptance and Mindfulness in Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Understanding and Applying the New Therapies
Additional Information
How to Cite
McGinn, M. M., Benson, L. A. and Christensen, A. (2011) Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy: An Acceptance-Based Approach to Improving Relationship Functioning, in Acceptance and Mindfulness in Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Understanding and Applying the New Therapies (eds J. D. Herbert and E. M. Forman), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002/9781118001851.ch9
Publication History
- Published Online: 16 MAR 2012
- Published Print: 2 FEB 2011
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470474419
Online ISBN: 9781118001851
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- behavior therapy;
- couple therapy;
- marital therapy;
- acceptance;
- behavior change;
- marital distress;
- couples
Summary
Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT), developed by Andrew Christensen and Neil Jacobson in the 1990s, represents a departure from traditional behavioral couple therapy in its emphasis on acceptance and contingency-shaped change over traditional direct change strategies. Similar to “third wave” therapies for individual clients that promote a willingness to let go of the struggle to change one's own experience, acceptance in the context of couple therapy means a willingness to let go of the struggle to change the other partner; this is brought about through interventions that promote greater intimacy and nonblaming discussions of the couple's issues. This chapter discusses the IBCT model of couple distress and treatment, illustrates acceptance-based strategies with a case example, compares IBCT to other behavioral couple therapies and to third wave therapies for individuals, presents research on its efficacy, and provides suggestions for future research.