JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2022 VOLUME 21, NO. 1

Effectiveness of Couple and Family Interventions: A Decade Review

Evidence Base Update on the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Couple and Family Interventions, 2010-2019


Since 1995, the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (JMFT) has published decade reviews to provide clinicians and other stakeholders an update on the evidence base for couple and family interventions for mental and behavioral disorders and health conditions. The most recent decade review was published in January 2022. This exciting issue reviewed the empirical evidence published from 2010 to 2019 on couple and family interventions for a range of mental and behavioral disorders and health conditions relevant to our work as couple and family therapists.
Andrea K. Wittenborn, PhD and Kendal Holtrop, PhD

Evidence in Support of Couple and Family Interventions for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders: What Does the Research Say?


Among those who experience depressive or bipolar disorders, too few get the treatment they need to experience relief. When people do seek treatment, it’s commonly in the form of medication, individual therapy, or both. Given the impact of close relationships on the course of depressive and bipolar disorders, targeting clients’ relationships may be a key mechanism to promoting symptom improvement.
Sarah B. Woods, PhD

The evidence base for couple and family interventions has flourished since the first JMFT efficacy and effectiveness special issue was published.

Couple and Family Interventions for High Mortality Health Conditions

The authors discuss their findings as MedFTs who see health, wellness, illness, trauma, and death in the context of families as they interface with larger systems such as healthcare, schools, and military systems.
An interview with Angela Lamson, PhD, Jennifer Hodgson, PhD, Keeley Pratt, PhD, Tai Mendenhall, PhD, Alison Wong, PhD, Erin Sesemann, PhD, Braden Brown, PhD, Erika Taylor, MS, Jacqueline Williams-Reade, PhD, Daniel Blocker, PhD, Jennifer Caspari, PhD, Max Zubatsky, PhD, and Matthew Martin, PhD

Couple and Family Therapy for Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders can contribute to a variety of couple- and family-related problems. Fortunately, there are couple- and family-based interventions for adults and adolescents. The authors reviewed the past decade of research to provide an up-to-date picture of effective couple and family treatments.
Aaron Hogue, PhD, Jeremiah Schumm, PhD, Alexandra MacLean, MA, and Molly Bobek, MSW

Couple- and Family-based Psychosocial Interventions for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Positive mental health in infants and young children is tied to nurturing and responsive early relationships, and these early relationships lay the foundation for lifelong physical and mental health. This evidence review was inspired by these fundamentals, along with the knowledge that interventions in a child’s first five years are critical in supporting later health and success.
Kimberly Newsome, MPH, Jennifer W. Kaminski, PhD, Lara R. Robinson, PhD, Helena Hutchins, MPH, and Caroline Barry, MPH

Recent Issues

November / December 2021
NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2021

Family Therapy Magazine – November / December 2021


Topics including Couple and family interventions for depressive and bipolar disorders, couple and family interventions for high mortality health conditions, and Infant and early childhood mental health.
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Body Image and Food Challenges in the Black Community


Topics including black families & body image, the impact of diet culture & weight stigma, and destructive consequences.
JULY / AUGUST 2021

Climate Change & Natural Disasters: A Call to Action for Systemic Therapists


Topics including eco-informed family therapy, MFTs and climate change, and helping families cope with disasters.