Couples in Conflict: A Family Systems Approach to Marriage Counseling

by Ronald W. Richardson

Perhaps no single issue is of greater importance for families in Western culture than the one of marital conflict. When couples fail to successfully negotiate the emotional difficulties of their relationship, it can lead either to years of unhappiness within the marriage or to the breakdown of the marriage and to divorce. Unhappy couples negatively affect their families and even their communities. Couples in Conflict describes the nature of the emotional process leading to marital difficulties and how a minister or counselor can be a resource to help couples in conflict. The minister/counselor will be able to help them improve their lives personally, as well as their relationship and family life. By extension, couples will also develop skills that will improve their work life and their life in the community. The book provides practical and specific approaches to helping these couples and the issues that a minister must deal with in order to be useful to them.

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Brian Virtue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the application of family systems to marriage conflict in a lot of ways, especially the verbatim pieces of the book.

I think theologically and pastorally, there are a few things here I can't get with and find this to be inadequate. A big part of this relates to the importance of what's involved in reconciliation and conflict. I think there is more possible for couples in conflict, especially Christian couples, than just long-term working on personal functioning.

So a helpful systems theory exploration. But it's essentially a gospel-less pastoral counseling approach - so expectations, theology, and roles will impact how one thinks about this approach for couples in such deep conflict. I learned some great nuggets, but ultimately found it lacking for the kind of reconciliation work with couples I would hope to be a part of.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who had never even heard of family systems theory before opening this book, I thought this was an excellent introduction to both the theory and the praxis of this perspective. Richardson presents things clearly and provides a clear vision for how to apply the ideas in an actual pastoral care environment.