Handbook of Counseling Military Couples

The military imposes unique and often severe challenges to couples, which clinicians – particularly the growing numbers of civilian clinicians who see military couples – often struggle to address. These problems are only compounded by misunderstandings and misconceptions about what it means to be part of a specific branch of the military and part of the military as a whole. Handbook of Counseling Military Couples includes a clear, thorough introduction to military culture and to couple relationships in the military. But more than that, it provides readers with expert analyses of the special types of issues that come up for military couples and shows clinicians how to address them productively. In the chapters, readers will find the answers to questions such as how are military couples’ rights different from those of civilians? What attitudes and beliefs about relationships might military members bring to a session, and how are those different from those of civilians? What is the state of marriage and divorce in each of the branches and within the military in general? For a particular treatment modality, how does research in with military members compare to that of civilians? When should particular treatment strategies be used, and why – and how?

As a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with a keen interest in the psychological difficulties that face military couples I could not wait to get my hands on this publication - and it did not disappoint. Clearly set out and very well resourced, this is the best practitioners' handbook I have read in the field of military counselling literature. ... Overall I found this book to be a very interesting read and a valuable resource. It is easy to navigate - very much a text that one can dip into and use to support treatment delivery. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in, or working within, the field of military mental health. - Holly Hurn, Journal of Mental Health, 22:5 2013, "This book is a vital and much-needed resource for all clinicians working with warrior couples and families. It is easy to read and offers clear insights into the unique challenges military families face. Just as important, it shows therapists effective ways to help heal and support relationships in these families so that their bonds of love become sources of healing and strength."Sue Johnson, EdD, developer of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) and author of Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love "This comprehensive, cutting-edge handbook addresses every relational issue faced by military couples today. Therapists who work with, or who plan to work with these couples will find this book invaluable and indispensable in providing highly effective couples therapy. Highly recommended."Len Sperry, MD, PhD, editor of Family Assessment: Contemporary and Cutting-Edge Strategies and coeditor of Recovering Intimacy in Love Relationships: A Clinician’s Guide"The Handbook of Counseling Military Couples joins an impressive but short list of practical, how-to books for effective couples counseling. Bret Moore applies his military service and clinical experience to bring together experts in areas of couple therapy, military couple issues, and military culture to guide the couple therapist in helping military couples. Bravo!"Charles R. Figley, PhD, the Paul Henry Kurzweg Distinguished Chair in Disaster Mental Health at Tulane University and coeditor of Combat Stress Injury: Theory, Research, and ManagementAs a Trainee Clinical Psychologist with a keen interest in the psychological difficulties that face military couples I could not wait to get my hands on this publication - and it did not disappoint. Clearly set out and very well resourced, this is the best practitioners' handbook I have read in the field of military counselling literature. ... Overall I found this book to be a very interesting read and a valuable resource. It is easy to navigate - very much a text that one can dip into and use to support treatment delivery. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in, or working within, the field of military mental health. - Holly Hurn, Journal of Mental Health, 22:5 2013

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, is a board-certified clinical psychologist in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and the author of several books on treating veterans. His military experience includes two tours of duty in Iraq as an officer in charge of preventative services and officer in charge of clinical operations. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.