This course provides theoretical and clinical practice foundations to couple therapy for emotionally committed relationships. Students will examine various conceptual treatment models and the applications of current evidence-based methods for assessing and treating relationship problems from a relational systems perspective. Students will have an opportunity to explore a variety of dyadic relationship and family life cycle contexts in which individuals struggling with common clinical issues can lead to relationship distress and dysfunction, along with some of the clinical challenges in the therapeutic discourse of couple therapy. Attention will be given to the influence and impact of socioeconomic and cultural factors on couple relationships including gender and power. Particular problem patterns in sex and intimacy, jealousy, infidelity, separation and divorce, partner abuse/violence, and substance abuse will also be explored. Specific consideration will be given to the unique interface of the ‘self of the therapist' in our relational conceptualizations and clinical approaches to couples in treatment.