Stephen T. Fife

The Process of Couple Healing Following Infidelity

Abstract Infidelity can have a devastating effect on marriages and individuals. This qualitative study explores the process of healing from infidelity and therapist behaviors that facilitate this process. In-depth client interviews suggest that healing occurs as couples pass through a seven-step process: (1) exploration of emotions and thoughts surrounding the infidelity, (2) expression of these to their partner, (3) development of empathy, (4) softening of emotions, (5) acceptance of personal responsibility and reduction of blame, (6) establishment of accountability, and (7) restoration of trust. While initially these factors occur sequentially, the process gradually becomes non-linear. Therapist behaviors which facilitate healing from infidelity are discussed.

Appraisal Distortions And Intimate Partner Violence: Gender, Power, And Interaction

In relationships characterized by control, abuse, or violence, many appraisal distortions occur including denial and minimization. However, the nature of the distortion varies depending on the individuals role in the relationship (i.e., abuser or victim). Reducing these distortions is an important component in treatment success and involves accepting responsibility for actions and attributions. This study used constructivist grounded theory methods to explore the following questions: (1) What are the types of distortions that are used by individuals who have been in violent or abusive relationships? (2) What are the gender and power differences in the appraisal distortions used? (3) What are the functions and interactions of the distortions in the relationship dynamics? Qualitative analysis of interviews with 29 individuals who had been in abusive relationships found that there were several types of distortions used by participants, but there were differences in the function of the distortion, depending on the individuals role in the abuse. These generally corresponded to power and gender, where the male as perpetrator used different distortions (or used similar distortions for different reasons) than did the female as victim. Suggestions for research as well as treatment implications for both offenders and survivors of abuse are given.

Clinical Training of MFTs for Adoption, Foster Care, and Child Development Settings: A Comparative Survey of CACREP, COAMFTE, and CSWE Accredited Programs

ABSTRACT Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are well prepared to work with clinical issues related to adoption, foster care, and child welfare. Yet, it is unclear how many MFTs see these as viable career opportunities, and it is also unclear if typical clinical training includes content in these areas. Surveys were sent to Commission for Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) clinical training programs to assess levels of training in three content areas: adoption, foster care, and child development. Results indicated that many graduates from COAMFTE accredited programs enter adoption and foster care work settings. Although COAMFTE graduates are well trained in child development, most MFTs, social workers, and counselors lack specific training in adoption and foster care. This study has curricular, funding, and mental health parity implications.

Mechanisms behind Prolonged Effects of Parental Divorce: A Phenomenological Study

ABSTRACT Much research has been aimed at evaluating the effect of divorce on children. The effects via the perceptions of adult children of divorce, however, are substantially underrepresented in this literature. Further, the studies that are published are out of date (often 20 years old), thus leading to questions as to whether the effects are the same as described. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to obtain a retrospective analysis directly from adults who experienced their parents’ divorce in childhood to understand what aspects of the divorce, either positive or negative, followed them into adulthood. Specifically, we were interested in learning the mechanisms contributing to such effects. Eight women and 1 man participated in semistructured interviews. Participants identified communication and support as key factors in their experience, both positively and negatively. Implications for clinical treatment are presented.

Counseling the Unemployed: Exploring MFT Trainees’ Perceptions of a Pilot Clinical Program

Many experiencing the recent “great recession” in the United States have faced unemployment and economic difficulties. Yet sparse literature regarding how to be of assistance in working with clientele facing such issues exists. In this qualitative study, data from 16 marriage and family therapy trainees regarding their perceptions after participating in a “Counseling the Unemployed” program was attained. From the participants’ experiences, four themes emerged, which included: common presenting problems, differences in clinical work with those employed versus those experiencing unemployment, helpful therapeutic experiences when working with unemployed clientele, and some of the unhelpful components in counseling the unemployed.

The Joy Luck Club: directed by Wayne Wang, with screenplay by Amy Tan and Ronald Bass, and novel by Amy Tan (1989). Produced by Oliver Stone. Hollywood, CA: Hollywood Pictures Films, 1993

The Joy Luck Club is a 1993 Western American film based upon the book of the same name by Amy Tan. The film focuses primarily on the relationship between four Chinese American women and their relationships with their Chinese born mothers. Each of their stories is portrayed through vignettes that detail the individual struggles and triumphs associated with life in the Asian culture. The film explores the hidden past of the mothers as well as the cultural conflict they each have endured on their journey to the United States of America (USA). Ultimately, the four daughters emerge with a stronger sense of self through the process of learning about their mothers’ triumphs and tragedies. The storyline is centered upon Jing-Mei Woo (Ming-Na), who struggles to deal with the recent death of her mother Suyuan Woo (Kieu Chinh). Throughout the movie, Jing-Mei is referred to as June. The movie takes place at a reception held on June’s behalf before her trip to China to meet her twin half sisters who were abandoned by their mother many years ago. June struggles with her mother’s past which she never fully understood. Though Suyuan dies before the movie begins, it is revealed that Suyuan was forced to abandon her daughters after contracting severe dysentery on her journey to escape the Japanese invasion during the Second World War. Believing she would die on the journey, Suyuan leaves them in hopes they would be rescued and returned to their father. Suyuan ultimately survives the trip but discovers that her husband was killed. She eventually remarries, moves to the USA, and has another daughter. After many years, she learns that her daughters were adopted in China though she dies of a brain aneurism without ever being reunited. An-Mei Hsu (Lisa Lu), mother of Rose Hsu Jordan (Rosalind Chao), was raised by her grandparents after her mother was banned from the family for becoming the concubine of a wealthy man after the death of her first husband. After her grandmother’s death An-Mei decides to live with her mother in the house of the wealthy man and his four wives. An-Mei’s mother ultimately commits suicide after much deception and pain was revealed. AnMei later immigrates to the USA, marries, and gives birth to seven children. Rose Hsu Jordan is one of those seven children who is seen as passive and