Mark A. Whisman

Couple Therapy for Depression Mark A. Whisman

In ""Couple Therapy for Depression"", Dr. Mark A. Whisman shows his approach to treating couples in which one or both partners are experiencing depression. His cognitive-behavioral approach focuses on building relationship skills and behavioral patterns, as behavior can usually be changed more readily than emotions, and oftentimes a change in affect follows a change in behavior. In this session, Dr. Whisman works with a married couple in which the husband has bipolar disorder and the wife is experiencing depression. Both partners are dealing with issues outside their marriage, including financial demands from ex-spouses. Dr. Whisman works with the couple on discerning the crux of their presenting issues, and then he introduces them to some problem-solving and communication skills so they might support each other more effectively.