Katherine Hertlein

Technology use in the practice of couple and family therapy has many advantages. The use of online and technology-based modes of communication for therapy, however, presents several valid ethical concerns. In a survey of 226 licensed Marriage and Family Counselors, students, and supervisors, participants were asked to identify ethical concerns and drawbacks of online therapy. Five themes related to this topic emerged: (a) confidentiality, (b) impact to the therapeutic relationship, (c) licensing and liability issues, (d) issues related to crises and risky clinical situations, and (e) training and education. Implications for practice, training, and research are discussed.

Although the challenges around participation in online gaming grow, gamers and their partners who experience online relationship issues related to gaming, present a new set of treatment challenges for therapists. In this article, we report on the findings of a hermeneutic research study aimed at evaluating the scholarly literature related to online gaming and interpret these texts to determine the effect such online activity has on the couple relationship. We reviewed 18 articles published between 1998 and 2010 related to online gaming and interpersonal relationships, focusing solely on empirical articles related to the search criteria. Our interpretation of the text concluded that online gaming might add to and/or interfere with a couple's life. Based on these potential problem areas, practical considerations for treatment are also outlined.

Technology use in the practice of couple and family therapy has many advantages. The use of online and technology-based modes of communication for therapy, however, presents several valid ethical concerns. In a survey of 226 licensed Marriage and Family Counselors, students, and supervisors, participants were asked to identify ethical concerns and drawbacks of online therapy. Five themes related to this topic emerged: (a) confidentiality, (b) impact to the therapeutic relationship, (c) licensing and liability issues, (d) issues related to crises and risky clinical situations, and (e) training and education. Implications for practice, training, and research are discussed.

The purpose of this research was to understand lesbian service member experiences with mental health care. Individual and organizational factors were explored, including the influence of military policy (e.g., " Don't Ask, Don't Tell ") on service member utilization of mental health services. Thirty-seven participants responded to a survey containing 16 open-ended items regarding the impact of " Don't Ask, Don't Tell " on one's professional life, relational life, identity, and willingness to access mental health services. Data were analyzed through an open-and axial-coding and constant comparative method. The findings indicated a lesbian service woman's likelihood of accessing mental health services was impacted by confidentiality concerns, fear of repercussions, and a sense that military culture lags behind policy changes. Recommendations for therapists included renewed focus on safety through affirmative practices, need for competency in military and lesbian/ gay culture, and sensitivity to the effects of systemic oppression on self-esteem. Implications and future research are discussed.

In the fifteen years since the explosion of the Internet, using cyber technology for work and social functions has exponentially increased. Yet, questions around how to manage such changes remain elusive in family therapy literature. In this investigation, we conducted a content analysis to determine to what extent marriage/couple and family therapy (M/CFT) journals have responded to the integration of the Internet in couple and family life. We found 79 of 13,274 articles across seventeen journals focused on the Internet in some capacity. Implications for clinical practice, training, and future research are discussed.

Relationships We are in an unprecedented age of technology. Few articles in family journals address online behavior, intimacy patterns, and influences on the ways couples and families communicate through technology. The purpose of this article is to use a multitheoretical model to describe the process of how technologies are affecting couple and family life. Suggestions for future research and applications are presented.

Rises in technology have created change in the family therapy field. The ethics code and regulatory boards now include areas on technology in family therapy practices. These additions require competency in the area of couple and family therapy technology practices. Previous researchers suggest there is a gap between these compe-tencies needed and the training provided, as well as the research available. Thus, the purpose of this mixed-data survey study was to gain information regarding family therapists' experiences and perceptions of education regarding online family therapy practices. To do this, we administered a survey to family therapists across the United States. Reported, are both quantitative, as well as qualitative findings. The majority of the sample reported that they did not learn about online technologies in clinical practice; however the majority of the participants would like to learn more about couple and family therapy technology practices. The most direct implication of the findings from our study is the need to offer specific education around couple and family therapy technology practices. Suggested core competency areas to cover include theory, research, and practice around technology.

The technology world has been growing and flourishing the interest in designing technologies that mediate and create a feeling of relatedness within interpersonal relationships beyond the explicit verbal communication. The purpose of this article is to present a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of technology in couple relationships. To accomplish this, we conducted a recursive open-coding analysis on an already existing data set. Findings indicated the advantages of technology in relationships include the contribution to the development of relationships, relationship management, and relationship enhancement. Challenges introduce by technology into relationships include distancing, lack of clarity, and impaired trust. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.

While couples may be holding hands with one another, they are
also holding their cell phones in the other hand. Technology is
so woven into the fabric of our society that it is hard to separate
it from the relationship itself. As such, the role of the marriage
and family therapist demands that it attends to technology
within the practice of couple therapy. This article describes strategies
for couple and family therapists to use in the context of their
treatment. The strategies are grounded in both theoretical and empirical
knowledge and cover three categories of application: relationship
initiation, relationship maintenance, and relationship
enhancement.

The technology world has been growing and flourishing the interest in designing technologies that mediate and create a feeling of relatedness within interpersonal relationships beyond the explicit verbal communication. The purpose of this article is to present a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of technology in couple relationships. To accomplish this, we conducted a recursive open-coding analysis on an already existing data set. Findings indicated the advantages of technology in relationships include the contribution to the development of relationships, relationship management, and relationship enhancement. Challenges introduce by technology into relationships include distancing, lack of clarity, and impaired trust. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine male and female
pornography users’ and nonusers’ attitudes regarding sexual openness
and inhibition as well as relational variables both between
and within gender. Participants included 846 individuals, 355
men and 491 women, with 239 of the men and 117 of the women
being pornography consumers. Results indicate that men are more
sexual seeking and less relationally oriented than women. However,
men are more sexually conservative than women. When comparing
groups by pornography usage, both male and female
pornography users are more sexually open and uninhibited and
less relationally oriented than nonusers. Interestingly, when comparing
female pornography users to male nonusers, pornography using
women are more sexually open and uninhibited than non-using
men and are less sexually conservative than non-using men.
Implications and future directions are discussed.

In the fifteen years since the explosion of the Internet, using cyber technology for work and
social functions has exponentially increased. Yet, questions around how to manage such
changes remain elusive in family therapy literature. In this investigation, we conducted a content
analysis to determine to what extent marriage/couple and family therapy (M/CFT)
journals have responded to the integration of the Internet in couple and family life. We found
79 of 13,274 articles across seventeen journals focused on the Internet in some capacity.
Implications for clinical practice, training, and future research are discussed.

There are many ways that the use of technology, including gaming,
enriches couples’ lives such as allowing partners to interact in
a different sphere that enhances their communication. Online roleplaying
gaming can help couple relationships in the development
of social interactions and increased understanding of gender roles
and a partner’s context and may appropriately increase the use of
fantasy within a relationship; on the other hand, online gaming
may pose unique challenges for couples. The purpose of this article
is to outline the challenges related to massively multiplayer online
role-playing games, including individual challenges, challenges to
daily life, and threats to intimacy. We also provide specific assessment
and treatment strategies that address the challenges based on
a multitheoretical model regarding the influence of technology on
couple relationships.

In this study, we investigated through an Internet survey of 508 practicing marriage and
family therapists which treatment decisions varied by gender of the client and background
variables of therapists. The subjects responded to several typical Internet infidelity scenarios.
We varied the gender of the person initiating the infidelity for half of one sample. We
also asked the family therapy participants to respond to how they might assess and treat
each presenting problem. They also evaluated problem severity, prognosis of the case,
number of sessions necessary for treatment, and the extent to which a therapist would
focus individually or relationally. Results indicate that there were differences in how therapists
assessed and treated clients based on client gender, therapists’ age, therapists’ gender,
how religious therapists reported they were, and the extent of therapists’ personal
experience with infidelity.

The Internet can be a problematic place for relationship development.
As popular as these approaches are, none apprise the therapist
of specific dilemmas critical to the outcome of treatment. The purpose
of this paper is to outline the therapeutic dilemmas faced by
therapists in treating Internet infidelity. It is the first article of its
kind to outline the key dilemmas: (a) seven factors that increase a
couple’s vulnerability to Internet infidelity, (b) self-of-the-therapist
issues, and (c) divisive issues in treatment. A case example demonstrating
how to address the dilemmas in a couple experiencing
Internet infidelity is included.

Technology use in the practice of couple and family therapy has many advantages. The use of online and technology-based modes
of communication for therapy, however, presents several valid ethical concerns. In a survey of 226 licensed Marriage and Family
Counselors, students, and supervisors, participants were asked to identify ethical concerns and drawbacks of online therapy. Five
themes related to this topic emerged: (a) confidentiality, (b) impact to the therapeutic relationship, (c) licensing and liability issues,
(d) issues related to crises and risky clinical situations, and (e) training and education. Implications for practice, training, and
research are discussed.

Although the challenges around participation in online gaming grow,
gamers and their partners who experience online relationship issues
related to gaming, present a new set of treatment challenges for
therapists. In this article, we report on the findings of a hermeneutic
research study aimed at evaluating the scholarly literature related to
online gaming and interpret these texts to determine the effect such online
activity has on the couple relationship. We reviewed 18 articles published
between 1998 and 2010 related to online gaming and interpersonal
relationships, focusing solely on empirical articles related to the search
criteria. Our interpretation of the text concluded that online gaming might
add to and/or interfere with a couple’s life. Based on these potential
problem areas, practical considerations for treatment are also outlined.

We offer a theoretical framework for treating Internet infidelity that employs concepts from postmodernism and transgenerational therapy. With this framework, clinicians will better understand some of the definitional issues and system dynamics involved, which should support more informed, coherent treatment of Internet affairs.

With the growing popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) across
ages, family issues surrounding SNSs are on the rise. Structural
family therapy offers a useful framework for systemic diagnosis and
intervention when approaching family issues related to SNSs. The
literature on SNSs among adolescent, emerging adult, and adult
populations is presented. Research and speculation on how SNSs
affect families, as well as how SNSs are discussed and used by families,
are also included. Finally, interventions for social networking
concerns consistent with a structural and developmental approach
are presented, along with a real case example.

Suicide is a devastating event for individuals, families, and societies. With a conservative estimate of 1 million deaths worldwide per year as the result of suicide, it affects every fabric of society. In addition to managing the trauma of the death, it is family structure and processes that are altered in significant ways, specifically with regard to communication around the pain of the event. This article will address intervention and conceptualization through an attachment-based therapeutic process while attending to the three key areas that correspond with suicide bereavement: shame/guilt/blame, crisis of faith, and managing internalized messages.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the
experiences of grandparents and the challenges they face
raising their grandchildren. This study was conducted
through qualitative interviewing, where participants
responded to open-ended questions regarding the
challenges of raising their grandchildren. Themes and
patterns were identified through an open-coding process.
The five themes discussed include: characteristics of
everyday life, parenting experiences, lack of resources,
managing negative emotions, and social changes.
Implications for clinical practice and further research are
discussed.

We are in an unprecedented age of technology.
Few articles in family journals address online
behavior, intimacy patterns, and influences on
the ways couples and families communicate
through technology. The purpose of this article
is to use a multitheoretical model to describe the
process of how technologies are affecting couple
and family life. Suggestions for future research
and applications are presented.

This paper examines both positive and negative influences of political correctness on family therapy. The authors contend the political correctness movement has limited assessment and joining in the therapy room. Impact on self-of-the therapist is considered. Strategies for combating the political correctness movement are discussed.

The advances in technology alter the ways we interact with each other. For some, the use of technology can facilitate a relationship; for others, technology can complicate aspects of a relationship. The purpose of this research synthesis is to summarize current research exploring the ways in which technology impacts relationships negatively. Eight studies were reviewed across the following areas: preoperational definitions, sample, methodology, control of extraneous variables, causal influence, generalizability, validity of statistical findings, and conclusions. Implications for authors, researchers, and therapists working with couples and families struggling with technology issues are discussed.

The clinical treatment of the homeless population typically focuses on issues of mental illness and drug/alcohol dependency. This treatment, however, does not address the problems of the homeless who are not mentally ill or those without a dependency problem. Because of the nature of the presenting problems of the homeless, Bowen family systems theory provides an appropriate framework from which

... KATHERINE A. MILEWSKI-HERTLEIN Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana, USA ... and family information, and the socially constructed genogram would enable therapist and client to focus more effectively on education and stress-ful life events (Papadopoulos, Bor, & ...

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological treatment method used primarily for people who have experienced trauma. This article provides a systematic research synthesis of EMDR studies targeting trauma symptomatology published between 1997 and 2003. This synthesis builds on the Revised Gold Standard (RGS) as a guide to evaluate empirical EMDR studies. Modifications and additions to the RGS criteria are proposed. The resulting standard is referred to as the Platinum Standard (PS). Sixteen EMDR studies are reviewed and critiqued using the PS criteria. None of the studies reviewed met full PS criteria. The mean score for the studies on the PS was 8.28, with 9 of the studies exceeding the mean. The review calls for researchers to employ more rigorous research designs for EMDR effectiveness using PS criteria. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.