Reviews literature pertaining directly to responses to man-made disasters, with specific emphasis on emotional responses to terrorism. Summarizes the effects of the bombing of the World Trade Center on its survivors and on the wider community. Examples of mental health outreach efforts and case vignettes of brief cognitive behavior therapeutic…

Discusses the effects of Hurricane Andrew on disaster workers, followed by some reported experiences of workers as well as victims. Background on natural disasters in general is given, along with information about crisis intervention. Discusses mental health interventions and various skills needed by disaster mental health counselors. (Author/KW)

During the Gulf War, Israeli mental health professionals played an invaluable role, but their efforts raise questions about what constitutes an appropriate, supportive response for a population suddenly faced with a hazardous event, whether hostile or not. Discusses the strategies used, with lessons that might enhance the disaster services of any…

Participants from five groups completed a questionnaire that required them to assess their use of 11 coping mechanisms. Participants differed from one another, depending on group affiliation, on five strategies. The strategy judged most important was "maintaining contact with other helpers." Concludes that training programs should provide…

Participants (n=161) viewed a videotaped "disaster" during which they "placed" themselves on the scene as helpers. Results indicate that two groups, those who had received previous training in coping skills versus those who had not, differed significantly in the use of skills and level of psychological comfort. (Author)

Couples whose early wounds cause narcissistic and borderline defenses may benefit from treatment with a psychodynamically oriented couples therapist. This article presents a treatment method that helps partners become attuned to each other's underlying injuries and vulnerabilities. The goal is to rebuild damaged structures of the self and to…

Examines the use of the couple relationship to address the effects of childhood sexual abuse of one or both of the partners, discusses the issues facing couples, and presents therapeutic guidelines for working with such couples. Reviews related work in the field and methods for treating couples facing other traumas. Reviews available resources.…

A case study of Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy with a couple, in which the woman was identified as having vaginismus, is presented including excerpts of transcripts from the therapy sessions. RE's effectiveness at improving communication skills and providing structure in which the couple could discuss the intimate issues affecting the…

Efforts to organize diverse and often competing family therapy approaches point to a variety of ideas about clinical practice. Myriad conceptual viewpoints reveal how sensitivity to multicultural factors is consistent with recent contextual and relational emphases. A detailed case study illustrates the advantages of drawing from an interactionist…

Explores various dimensions of the clinical supervisory process, including an assessment tool to measure trainee development, a supervisor developmental model, qualities of "excellent" supervisors, the differential effects of expert modeling versus self-observation using videotape, and growth issues for therapist and supervisor. Represents…

Paralleling reports of the effects of passive smoke exposure in medical journals, the term "secondary traumatization"--the emotional upset experienced by persons who come into close contact with a trauma victim--is receiving increasing attention in the mental health literature. Implications of this for family counselors are considered. (Author/KW)

Describes a technique to disengage the power play during a conflict by getting the overadequate pursuer to step back and pursue less, thus forcing the passive-aggressive distancer to mobilize more effectively in her or his own behalf. Provides a three-step plan to defuse a power play and gives a case example. (KW)

Discusses the importance of understanding the presenting problem of a stepfamily seeking counseling. Notes that proper assessment includes an understanding of family structure and context, parent- and stepparent-child relationships, and nonresidential parent-child relationships. Includes case study and the use of genograms to depict complex…

Examines the impact of gender, marital status, and parent status on emotional closeness, confiding, and contact among siblings in middle and later life. Using data from a multistage quote sample that includes 528 respondents ages 55 and older who have 1 or more siblings, characteristics of respondents and siblings are studied. (Author)

Examines how family resources and demographic variables relate to adolescent family life satisfaction in remarried family households. Self-report questionnaire data were collected from 95 high school students in remarried families. Showed that flexibility, regularity in household time and routines, and effectiveness in parent communication were…