Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Fifth Edition – Gurman, Lebow, Snyder

The Problem This Book Solves

Couple therapy is one of the most challenging and rewarding areas of clinical practice. Therapists often struggle to integrate multiple theoretical models, adapt interventions to diverse couple dynamics, and stay current with the latest research. The Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Fifth Edition directly addresses these challenges by providing a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that has guided clinicians for decades. This authoritative reference equips you with the knowledge to confidently assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of couple issues using the most effective approaches available.

What Is Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Fifth Edition – Gurman, Lebow, Snyder? A Complete Overview

The Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy is the definitive reference in the field, now in its fifth edition (2015). Edited by Alan S. Gurman, Jay L. Lebow, and Douglas K. Snyder—three of the most respected names in couple and family therapy—this volume presents the most effective, widely studied approaches to couple therapy. It covers the major therapeutic models including cognitive-behavioral, emotionally focused, psychodynamic, integrative, and systemic therapies, each written by leading practitioners and researchers. The handbook also addresses special clinical situations such as infidelity, domestic violence, divorce, and couples dealing with mental illness or chronic health conditions.

With contributions from over 50 experts, this edition synthesizes decades of clinical wisdom and empirical research into a single, practical resource. It is designed to be both a comprehensive textbook for graduate students and a daily reference for experienced clinicians.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is essential for a wide range of mental health professionals and trainees:

• Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) seeking a thorough grounding in couple therapy models
• Clinical psychologists, social workers, and counselors who work with couples
• Psychiatrists and psychiatric residents integrating couple interventions into their practice
• Graduate students in psychology, social work, and counseling programs
• Researchers studying couple dynamics and therapeutic outcomes
• Pastoral counselors and clergy providing premarital and marital counseling
• Any clinician looking to deepen their expertise in evidence-based relationship interventions

What You Will Learn

This handbook delivers actionable knowledge across the spectrum of couple therapy. Here are seven critical takeaways:

• Core therapeutic models — In-depth coverage of cognitive-behavioral, emotionally focused, psychodynamic, integrative, and systemic approaches
• Assessment and case formulation — Systematic methods for evaluating couple functioning and tailoring treatment plans
• Intervention strategies — Step-by-step techniques for common issues like communication breakdowns, conflict resolution, and intimacy building
• Working with special populations — Culturally sensitive approaches for diverse couples, including same-sex, interracial, and interfaith relationships
• Addressing crisis situations — Protocols for infidelity, domestic violence, separation, and divorce mediation
• Integrating research into practice — How to apply the latest empirical findings to improve clinical outcomes
• Ethical and professional issues — Navigating confidentiality, dual relationships, and evidence-based practice standards

Why Choose This Edition

While there are many couple therapy books on the market, the Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy stands apart for three reasons. First, its breadth is unmatched: it covers more models and clinical situations than any single-volume work. Second, the editors have assembled the original developers of each major approach to write the chapters, ensuring authenticity and depth. Third, the fifth edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest research and clinical innovations, making it the most current comprehensive reference available at its publication.

Compared to competing texts like Couple Therapy: A New Hope-Focused Approach or The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy, this handbook provides a balanced, multi-model perspective that allows clinicians to choose and integrate approaches based on the unique needs of each couple. It is not a one-size-fits-all manual but a toolbox of evidence-based options.

Author & Publisher Credentials

The editors of this volume are pillars of the couple therapy field. Alan S. Gurman, PhD, was a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a pioneer in integrative couple therapy. Jay L. Lebow, PhD, is a senior staff therapist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and a leading researcher on couple and family therapy outcomes. Douglas K. Snyder, PhD, is a professor at Texas A&M University and an expert in assessment and treatment of couple distress. Their collective experience spans over 100 years of clinical practice, research, and teaching.

The Guilford Press is a highly respected publisher of mental health and behavioral science resources, known for rigorous peer review and high editorial standards. This combination of editorial authority and publisher reputation ensures that the content is trustworthy, accurate, and clinically relevant.

Final Assessment

Absolutely. For any clinician serious about couple therapy, this handbook is an indispensable investment. It functions as both a comprehensive textbook and a quick-reference guide for day-to-day practice. The breadth of coverage means you will rarely need to consult another source for a given clinical situation. The depth of expertise from the chapter authors provides insights that only decades of experience can yield.

While the sixth edition is now available, the fifth edition remains a highly valuable resource, especially for those who want a more affordable option or who prefer the editorial perspective of Gurman, who passed away in 2020. The core knowledge and evidence base remain largely relevant, and the book is still widely used in graduate programs and clinical settings.

Get Your Copy Today

Whether you are a student building your foundation or a seasoned clinician expanding your repertoire, the Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy, Fifth Edition will elevate your practice. Order your digital copy today and join the thousands of therapists who rely on this definitive guide. Published by The Guilford Press (2015), this edition continues to be a trusted resource for effective, evidence-based couple therapy.