Treating Relationship Distress

This chapter provides an overview of major empirically supported approaches to treating relationship distress among committed couples based upon criteria proposed by Chambless and Hollon (1998). Based on these criteria, we discuss behavioral couple therapy and its derivatives, including cognitive behavioral couple therapy and integrative behavioral couple therapy; emotionally focused couple therapy, and insight-oriented couple therapy. Each approach’s underlying theory and empirical support are described. We also note the development of a trans-theoretical model emphasizing central factors across theoretical approaches. This chapter also examines theoretical and empirical work on couple interventions beyond treatment of general distress to applications with specific, difficult-to-treat relationship problems, such as intimate partner violence (IPV). We also review couple-based interventions for individual problems, with an overview of some empirically-supported conjoint treatments for psychopathology. In addition, we address the importance of ensuring that interventions are sensitive and appropriate for couples traditionally underrepresented in empirical studies of couples (e.g., older couples, same-sex couples). Finally, we briefly discuss teletherapy and internet-based interventions to assist couples.