Families presenting for therapy after a divorce or separation who are in high-conflict present marriage and family therapists (MFTs) with some of the most complex and ethically challenging cases. Most co-parents settle disagreements amicably; however, 8-15% engage in conflict for years post-separation. Therapists must navigate overlapping clinical, legal, regulatory, and systemic domains-tasks for which most MFTs receive little training. This special issue of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy addresses the urgent need for therapist competency and interdisciplinary collaboration with families in high conflict. Drawing on systemic and structural approaches, the featured articles examine factors that shape co-parenting quality, strategies for introducing new partners, reunification models, and the lived experiences of parents facing parent-child contact problems. Integrating research with practice-informed insights, this issue advocates for therapy with families in high-conflict as a clinical specialization and calls for advanced training, certification, and stronger collaboration among professionals.

Family therapy has been slowly but steadily growing on the African continent. Considering Africa's rich yet complex economic, political, and sociocultural history, it is essential for family therapy practitioners to integrate social justice (SJ) principles into their research, training, and practice of family therapy. By doing so, we can help foster more inclusive, culturally responsive, and meaningful support for the historically underrepresented communities of African descent. More importantly, we recommend that addressing SJ issues in the practice of family therapy in Africa be rooted in Afrocentric frameworks of care and practice. Drawing on existing literature, we introduce the African-Centered Wellness Model as a foundational framework for advancing socially just family therapy with African families. To demonstrate how the framework translates into clinical practice, two authors present case vignettes from their clinical work. A discussion of implications for integrating the principles of the model into research, training, and practice follows.

Mindfulness may reduce depression by supporting more satisfying relationships, yet these associations remain understudied in Latino couples. Given the overlap between mindfulness and Latino cultural values, this study tested whether trait mindfulness is linked to greater relationship satisfaction and, in turn, lower depression among Latino couples. Survey data from 293 heterosexual Latino couples were analyzed using an Actor Partner Interdependence Mediation Model. Results showed that both men and women higher in trait mindfulness tended to feel more satisfied in their relationship and reported fewer depressive symptoms. In addition, trait mindfulness in one partner was associated with greater relationship satisfaction and lower depression in the other. These findings underscore the potential value of integrating mindfulness and relationship-based strategies in culturally responsive work with Latino couples. Couple, marital, and family therapists may apply these insights through a family systems lens to support more inclusive, effective care for Latinos experiencing depression.

The goal of this study was to explore racism-related stress and racial trauma training experiences among couple/marriage and family therapists (C/MFTs). A mixed method convergent design was used to collect data from graduate level C/FMTs. A total of N = 71 participants completed online surveys, and n = 18 individuals completed interviews. Results indicated 45.1% (n = 32) of participants reported taking one course in their department that addressed racial stress and/or trauma. Individuals with 2-3, or 4+ courses focusing on racial trauma reported increased satisfaction with educational experiences compared to those with zero (F [3, 58] = 4.29, p = 0.009]. Data integration yielded two themes: (1) Minimal racism-related stress and racial trauma education experiences, and (2) Inevitability of working with families impacted by racial trauma and not feeling prepared. Training recommendations are provided for the inclusion of racism-related stress coursework among graduate level training programs.

It is expected that half of the world's population will experience some type of mental illness during their lives, with less than 25% of those receiving any form of treatment. With increasing need and insufficient mental health providers to meet those demands, we need innovative approaches that provide care for larger numbers of people with differing needs and cultural expectations. This paper presents a community-based participatory research approach lead by systemically trained clinicians and researchers used to address the mental health needs of a vulnerable underserved community in Brazil. The results highlight how this approach: (1) fosters community trust, (2) empowers community members to address their own mental health needs, and (3) leads to the interventions that improves mental health outcomes and social change of the community being served.

The present study focuses on the positionings adopted by supervisors in systemic psychotherapy supervision within teams of therapists-in-training. The participants were five supervisors working with their respective teams. The study centers on the supervisors' positionings in relation to their supervisees and adopts an exploratory, qualitative methodology, structured as a single-case design with multiple units of analysis. The procedure involved the videorecording of pre-sessions, inter-sessions, and post-sessions. These recordings were transcribed and analyzed using discourse analysis. The material was reviewed multiple times. Sixteen distinct supervisor positionings were identified. Among these, confirming, directivity, and reflexivity emerged as three fundamental positionings. Additionally, a distinctive supervisory movement, termed "significant oscillation," was identified. The analysis highlights supervision as a complex relational space where the supervisor's positioning within the interactive process plays a crucial role in the supervisees' learning.

The effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) has been well-documented, yet its application with Chinese couples remains underexplored. This is the first qualitative study examining therapists' perspectives on using EFCT with Chinese couples in clinical settings. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 20 therapists from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong revealed that therapists viewed EFCT as a useful approach for Chinese couples. EFCT was reported to be helpful for couples with relationship distress and mental health concerns. However, therapists emphasized the importance of understanding cultural values and nuances that influence presenting problems. Overall, therapists recommended adjusting EFCT skills to better serve the needs of Chinese couples, understanding cultural impacts on couples' presenting problems, and incorporating additional components and training for therapists working with Chinese couples. These findings provide a foundation for culturally adapted EFCT, ensuring its relevance for Chinese couples while honoring their unique relational and cultural contexts.

Large language models can provide personalized feedback within web-based self-care support tools. This study investigated the impact of ChatGPT feedback, which provided advice aimed at improving the concreteness and realism of the user's goals, in a self-care support tool based on solution-focused brief therapy. Participants were randomly assigned to the ChatGPT group (n = 92) or the control group (n = 82). The tool comprised eight components: problem definition, miracle question, goal setting, machine learning model-based feedback on goals, ChatGPT feedback (ChatGPT group), goal re-setting, exception question, and ideas for problem solving. Our findings indicated that the self-care support tool was effective, improving solution building, positive affect, the level of realization of the ideal life, and problem severity in both groups. The additional effect of incorporating ChatGPT feedback was demonstrated only for problem severity. These results suggest that self-care support tools are effective, with ChatGPT feedback providing an added benefit for problem severity.

Romantic relationships can have additional complexities for individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The present study employed Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) to explore what challenges adults with ADHD have experienced in their romantic relationships. Adults with ADHD (N = 355) answered an open-ended survey question asking if and how their ADHD had negatively impacted their romantic relationships. RTA resulted in four overarching themes and seven subthemes. Too Much and Never Enough: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Rejection Sensitivity and The Struggle for Stability: ADHD's Battle Between Passion and Distraction, encapsulated the relational challenges individuals with ADHD face associated with their ADHD traits. Between Partner and Caregiver: The Emotional and Practical Strain in ADHD Relationships highlighted the sometimes-unbalanced dynamic in relationships. From Chaos to Clarity: The Role of Self-Understanding in Love explored the detriments of lacking self-insight and the transformative impact of self-awareness. Findings underscore the complicated interplay between ADHD traits, self-perception, and romantic relationships.

This study examined gender differences in couple satisfaction and communication patterns between women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands, couple satisfaction levels varying by communication patterns, and the mediating effect of intimacy on the relationship between communication and couple satisfaction. The study sample is 161 couples of women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands residing in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea. Women in cross-national marriages reported significantly lower couple satisfaction and revealed more negative communication patterns compared to their Korean husbands. Couples where both spouses engaged in positive communication experienced the highest levels of couple satisfaction. Multi-group structural equation modeling suggested the mediating effect of intimacy on the relationship between communication and couple satisfaction for both women in cross-national marriages and Korean husbands. These findings have implications for developing policy and practice interventions enhancing couple satisfaction among women in cross-national marriages and their Korean husbands through improved communication and intimacy.

The Harlem Renaissance marked a pivotal moment in American history, heralding a cultural and artistic movement that redefined African American identity through self-expression and resistance to systemic oppression. This paper explores the integration of poetry as a narrative therapeutic tool, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance's emphasis on art as a transformative and healing force. A new poetry form "Divine Completion" is introduced, complementing narrative therapy to help clients externalize problems, deconstruct dominant narratives, and reconstruct empowering stories. Through a case study, we demonstrate how therapists can harness poetry to foster emotional expression, resilience, and healing in diverse family systems. The integration of historical and contemporary therapeutic practices underscores the relevance of poetry and how therapists can help families share their new ideas, voices, and views of relationships.

This article explores the application of mixed-reality simulation as a teaching tool for Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) within a master's-level course designed to enhance the clinical skills of couple/marriage and family therapy students. It describes the structure, implementation, and delivery of the course, highlighting how the technology can support experiential learning in therapist training. The article also discusses the strengths and challenges of using mixed-reality simulation in this teaching context and offers recommendations for future use and integration in clinical training.

This qualitative study explores the experiences of Israeli therapists implementing the FOCUS (Families OverComing Under Stress) intervention. Originally developed for US military families, the FOCUS model was adapted to support civilian families exposed to chronic trauma. Through in-depth interviews with 13 therapists, the study identified three main themes: the shift from individual to family trauma-focused care, acquisition of new therapeutic tools, and challenges in implementation. Therapists emphasized the importance of addressing trauma within the family system but reported lacking appropriate tools before using FOCUS. The program offered structured yet adaptable methods to help families reconstruct a shared narrative and strengthen resilience. Challenges included the need for prior family therapy experience, intensive supervision, and difficulties recruiting all family members. The findings support the integration of trauma-informed care and family therapy, highlighting the need for further research on FOCUS's long-term effects and adaptability in diverse settings involving all family members.

This study aimed to build on previous research by S. R. Anderson et al. in 2022 and further validate the Couple Relationship Scale (CRS), a routine outcome measure for use in couple therapy. Using data from a community sample (N = 300, Mean age = 41.61, 49% females), confirmatory factor analysis supported a robust single-factor structure with no evidence of gender-based measurement invariance. The CRS demonstrated excellent internal consistency reliability. Strong concurrent validity was evidenced by strong correlations with established measures of couple functioning and moderate correlations with mental health and well-being scales. CRS items showed expected associations with corresponding subscales of other measures of relational functioning and well-being scales. Scores were largely independent of demographic variables. CRS shows promise as a psychometrically sound tool to bridge the research-practice gap in couple therapy, although further validation in clinical populations is warranted.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the role of romantic attachment as a protective or risk factor in how individuals cope with infertility diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. A systematic search was conducted across six databases from January 1, 2011, to February 3, 2025. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria, exploring associations between romantic attachment and individual psychological correlates of infertility. Seven studies examining links between attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and infertility-related stress were included in a meta-analysis. Findings highlight significant associations between insecure attachment and various psychological outcomes, including infertility-related stress, general well-being, mental health symptoms, and body image concerns. Meta-analytic results confirmed moderate, positive associations between both attachment anxiety and avoidance and infertility-related stress. The review underscores the influence of attachment in couple relationships on coping with infertility, emphasizing the distinct roles of attachment anxiety and avoidance. These insights offer valuable clinical implications. Trial registration: PROSPERO (CRD42024523311).

This article describes three systemic family therapy research programs that seek to influence government policies and institutional practices for improving equitable access to services across culturally diverse communities in the United States of America, South Asia, and East Africa. The programs described in these contexts represent culturally responsive and engaged training approaches with professionals in underserved communities, global mental healthcare access, and family therapy with LGBTQ youth. Engaged scholarship is utilized as a paradigm for anchoring the varied programs and their impact on policy and practice. The authors describe their unique academic journeys as engaged family therapy scholars who view marrying research to policy as an intentional good. The authors conclude with several calls, including centering the voices of the community, formulating research questions for community impact, producing and rewarding public scholarship, and embodying humility as an engaged scholar.

Remarried couples who experience infertility face unique stressors requiring effective dyadic coping. Research rarely examines how family functioning and posttraumatic growth jointly influence dyadic coping through an indirect pathway involving marital quality. This cross-sectional study of 318 couples, utilizing the actor-partner interdependence mediation model, examined these relationships. Results showed family functioning, through higher levels of marital quality, positively influenced both one's own dyadic coping (actor effect) and one's partner's dyadic coping (partner effect). Posttraumatic growth, through higher levels of marital quality, positively influenced one's own dyadic coping (actor effect). These findings underscore marital quality as a pivotal pathway for enhancing dyadic coping in remarried couples that are experiencing infertility, guiding targeted clinical interventions.

Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) are woven into modern romantic relationships, particularly among young adults. Grounded in the attachment framework, this study expands on previous literature by using a longitudinal design to examine social media jealousy and electronic partner surveillance as mediators between attachment anxiety and relationship satisfaction. Over a 2-year span, 322 young adults aged 18-29 years and in a romantic relationship completed questionnaires about their social media use, attachment orientation, and relationship satisfaction. Results showed that social media jealousy was associated with more electronic partner surveillance, and lower relationship satisfaction 1 year later. Additionally, although longitudinal support for the association between attachment anxiety and relationship satisfaction was found, it was no longer significant when accounting for the more proximal influence of social media-related jealousy and electronic partner surveillance. These findings emphasize the interplay between social media use and young couples' relationship functioning over time.

Empathic conjectures are a key therapist response mode in Emotion(ally)-Focused Therapy, used to deepen emotions and strengthen attachment bonds; however, there is little research on them. This process microanalytic qualitative study analyzed 10 sessions, publicly available example of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT). We identified two core features: (1) guessing, where therapists articulate clients' implicit experiences, and (2) meaning match, linking conjectures directly to observable or inferable client experiences. Using a four-point confidence rating scale, we found that 88.6% of high-confidence conjectures were delivered tentatively, supporting tentativeness as important for minimizing therapeutic ruptures. Additionally, seven types of empathic conjectures were identified: feeling, relational process, narrative, formulation, reframing, evocative, and nonverbal feeling conjectures. These findings refine the definition of empathic conjectures, highlight therapist attunement, and provide valuable clinical insights for EFCT therapists. Future research should further explore empathic conjectures' impact on client outcomes and therapeutic alliance.

Despite the widespread popularity of Chapman's Five Love Languages framework, empirical support for its core claims remains limited. In a preregistered study of 499 individuals in long-term, cohabiting relationships, we examined whether having a primary love language-and receiving love in that preferred way-predicted higher relationship quality and perceived partner love. Findings failed to support Chapman's key claims: less than half of participants had an identifiable primary love language, and satisfaction with a partner's expression of that behavior was no stronger a predictor of relationship quality than satisfaction with other love language behaviors. Instead, relationship quality was more strongly linked to satisfaction across a wider range of loving behaviors. Verbal affirmations, Encouragement for Individual Pursuits, Support during Difficult Times, and accountability emerged as especially robust predictors. These findings challenge Chapman's core claims and call for a shift in relationship interventions toward promoting diverse, flexible expressions of love.

One way that couples can maintain relationship satisfaction is by acting according to who they are, or autonomously, within their romantic relationships. However, feeling autonomous can be challenging for romantic partners, especially those with attachment insecurities. In two dyadic and longitudinal studies, we tested whether the daily feeling of being autonomous within romantic relationships accounted for associations between attachment insecurities and daily and over time relationship satisfaction in long-term romantic relationships. Across both studies, dyadic mediation models showed that people higher in attachment avoidance reported less daily autonomy in their relationships and, in turn, reported lower relationship satisfaction daily and 3-months later. In Study 2, people higher in attachment anxiety reported less daily autonomy in their relationships and this was associated with lower satisfaction, both daily and over time. Findings highlight the role of autonomy as one explanation for the lower levels of relationship satisfaction among insecure romantic partners.

This study examined a structural model linking mindfulness to positive interaction in couple relationships, focusing on the mediating roles of shared relationship activity engagement and relational social connectedness. Despite growing interest in mindfulness and relational outcomes, the mechanisms through which mindfulness fosters positive couple dynamics remain underexplored. Using data from 1328 adults in the southeastern United States, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the hypothesized pathways. Results demonstrated a good model fit and revealed that individuals' mindfulness was directly associated with greater engagement in shared relationship activities. Furthermore, both shared activity engagement and relational social connectedness significantly mediated the association between mindfulness and positive interaction in couple relationships. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how mindfulness enhances relational functioning and underscore the importance of fostering both interpersonal connectedness and shared relational practices in therapeutic and educational settings aimed at strengthening couple relationships.

Relational savoring (RS) is a brief, accessible, relationship-based intervention guided by systemic principles. RS may benefit Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) families experiencing relational difficulties. Family ties are often protective for AANHPI groups, yet acculturation-related stress may impede families' ability to leverage this asset. RS has evidenced effectiveness in increasing well-being and relationship quality, but has yet to be tested with AANHPI families. RS may align well with cultural values relevant to AANHPI communities, such as interconnectedness, while also overcoming barriers through its strengths-based approach. This paper outlines the decision-making process used to adapt RS for AANHPI families and emphasizes the role of community feedback. An iterative and rigorous approach is essential to determine whether adaptation is needed and to identify appropriate targets for change. Importantly, enhancing the cultural responsiveness of RS furthers our goal of promoting flourishing and addressing health disparities among underserved families.

Delay discounting refers to a tendency to value immediate rewards over delayed rewards. This construct has primarily been applied in the field of behavior analysis to explore a variety of maladaptive, individually oriented behaviors. Although there is a substantial research base of support, there has been little attention paid to delay discounting in the context of relationships. This study represents the first to examine the relationship between delay discounting and several important relationship-oriented variables. We used survey data from 368 participants in an adult romantic relationship to explore this relationship further. Findings revealed that the tendency to discount delayed rewards was related to attachment anxiety, disruptive couple conflict, and lower couple satisfaction, suggesting that delay discounting indeed plays a potential role in adult romantic relationships. Our hope is that delay discounting can emerge as a valuable concept for scholars, researchers, and clinicians within Systemic Family Therapy.

Preventive and promotive couple-based programs are known to increase relationship satisfaction and reduce marital discord. However, such services are rare in India. Since 2011, the Couple Enrichment Clinic in Bangalore, South India, has been providing support to couples experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress. This retrospective chart review examines data from 54 couples who consulted the clinic between January 2023 and July 2024. The majority were urban, educated couples seeking help for issues like life transitions, communication difficulties, trust, and conflict management. Therapy was delivered through conjoint, individual, or combined sessions, using an integrative approach adapted from enrichment modules like PAIRS and PREP and strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), and systemic principles. Cultural themes including extended family dynamics were also explored. The study emphasizes the unique needs of Indian couples and suggests that integrated therapeutic approaches can effectively promote relational health in this cultural context.

Chapman's Five Love Languages have been embraced by the public and incorporated into therapeutic practice, offering a simple framework for expressing and receiving love. However, it is unclear whether the proposed five love languages fully capture the multitude of ways that individuals express love. In three studies with individuals in long-term relationships residing in the United States (N = 696, 500, 499), we used a bottom-up approach to revise a previously developed measure of love languages using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Solutions ranging from 7 to 10 love languages provided superior fits to the data and better predicted relationship quality than the 5-factor solution. These findings suggest that Chapman's model may be overly narrow, and that expanding the framework could help therapists better understand clients' relational needs. By offering a more comprehensive vocabulary for loving behavior, this study lays the foundation for more effective interventions in relationship therapy.

Dating apps have revolutionized the way people seek romantic connections, boasting a staggering 320 million users worldwide. An estimated 20%-40% of adults in the United States reported meeting their romantic partners online. While online dating research has become more popular, little attention has been paid to the experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals and the unique obstacles they encounter. Utilizing the Minority Stress Model and intersectionality theory, this study investigates how overlapping marginalized identities influence REM individuals' experiences in online dating settings, revealing structural discrimination, identity-based stresses, and their effects. Through semistructured interviews, the research identified key challenges and analyzed intersectional experiences. The themes included gendered expectations, cultural compatibility, identity salience, stigma, and emotional burnout. Drawing upon participants' perspectives captured through a phenomenological approach, the study illuminates these concerns and furthers academic knowledge and therapeutic implications, promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and equity in online dating.

Despite the international prominence of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFCT), limited research exists on its acceptability among mental health workers, particularly those from contexts in Africa. This study explored the acceptability of EFCT among Ugandan mental health workers who completed the first-ever 4-day EFCT training in Uganda. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 practitioners to examine (1) how practitioners found EFCT to be acceptable in their personal lives and (2) their views on the model's fit within Uganda's cultural context. Thematic analysis generated five themes that address these research questions. Overall, Ugandan practitioners found EFCT resonant and acceptable in their personal lives and particularly appreciated its focus on accessing emotions as a therapeutic tool. However, they also identified potential challenges in applying the model culturally. This research provides preliminary insights into EFCT's potential acceptability in Ugandan mental health practice and thus, contributes to global literature on EFCT and multiculturalism.

This study sought to address the gap in understanding polyamorous individuals' responses to their partner's New Relationship Energy (i.e., the excited giddiness of burgeoning intimate relationships) with another partner. Individuals who reported greater mindfulness were hypothesized to report less jealousy (through better emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and the undoing effect) and greater compersion (through empathy). Polyamorous participants (N = 122) were recruited online and anonymously completed surveys through Qualtrics. Mindfulness was associated with lower jealousy through greater emotion regulation, greater distress tolerance, and, to a lesser extent, the undoing effect. Mindfulness was also associated with greater compersion, but not through empathy. Findings may help researchers and clinicians better understand the range of reactions one might have to a partner's New Relationship Energy with another intimate partner and facilitate the development of interventions for individuals who desire to have a different emotional response.

Parents who are actively involved in their child's mental health treatment are more likely to remain hopeful after treatment (Brown 2023). Conversely, parents who remain more passive and outsource the "fixing" effort to experts demonstrate reduced hope. The Parent Hope Project is a strengths-based family therapy approach to working with parents that promotes parent agency and thoughtful involvement in children's dilemmas. Principles of Bowen family systems theory underpin the role of the clinician working alongside parents to help them draw on their own resources, with the goal for parents to observe and adjust their own part in their family patterns in which their child's symptoms are embedded. This article outlines how theory informs the work of the clinician in the Parent Hope Project and the approach of prioritizing working with parents when there are concerns about a young person. It features case studies from Canada and Australia that illustrate the approach.