• How Narrative Therapy Starves Anorexia To Death
  Presented by: Melissa Wells, Jennifer Andrews, Brian Distelberg
• When Believing in Your Relationship Hurts: Relationship Efficacy and IPV
  Presented by: Rebecca A. Cobb, Nathaniel M. Lambert, Levi R. Baker, Frank D. Fincham, James K. McNulty
• "We Can't Afford Infertility Treatment!" Challenges in Family Therapy
  Presented by: Connie Shapiro

Abstracts

How Narrative Therapy Starves Anorexia To Death

Presented by: Melissa Wells, Jennifer Andrews, Brian Distelberg

This qualitative study explores how narrative therapists work with women struggling with anorexia. Six therapists from New Zealand, Australia, and UK describe how their postmodern, social constructionist epistemology guides them in journeying side by side with the woman through a four-stage model of progression that begins with domination by anorexia and culminates with freedom from the problem through the courage and uniqueness of her spirit. This progression occurs by, first, stating positions; second, externalizing anorexia; third, deconstructing dominant discourses and anorexia's powerful rhetoric; and, fourth, facilitating the woman's renourishing of her life through connecting with her agency and engaging in spirit-nourishing activities.

When Believing in Your Relationship Hurts: Relationship Efficacy and IPV

Presented by: Rebecca A. Cobb, Nathaniel M. Lambert, Levi R. Baker, Frank D. Fincham, James K. McNulty

Two studies examined the association between the belief in one's ability to resolve conflict in a relationship and the likelihood of relationship termination. Study 1 showed that married women who were the victims of abuse were less likely to have accepting attitudes of divorce when they had greater relationship efficacy. Study 2 showed that female undergraduate students were less likely to terminate a relationship in which they were the recipient of psychical abuse when they had greater relationship efficacy. These effects were not present among participants who had not experienced violence in their relationships. Implications for therapy are discussed.

"We Can't Afford Infertility Treatment!" Challenges in Family Therapy

Presented by: Connie Shapiro

Traditionally, infertility has been depicted as a concern of middle and upper income women, with successful multiple births by high profile infertile women publicized broadly.  However, couples of low and modest means also are diagnosed with infertility. And, with recent shifts in the economy, an increasing number of couples of childbearing age are in debt, experiencing often for the first time a lack of access to health care services they once took for granted.  The challenge to the family therapist is how to factor into discussions of the couple's infertility the added concern of their finances.