Research has demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness interventions with individuals, including connections to increased life satisfaction, and positive affect. Mindfulness has effectively treated anxiety, borderline personality disorder, depression, chronic pain, and addiction. Recent studies show the positive effects of mindfulness on relationship satisfaction, empathy development, and skillful communication. We explore the potential benefits for integrating mindfulness, defined as nonjudgmental awareness, into the practice of marriage and family therapy. We argue that mindfulness may be useful with couples and families to improve communication, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship well-being. Finally, we discuss practical ways of applying mindfulness in family therapy.

Externalization of problems as a component of narrative therapy has been well defined by such authors as Epston and White, and Freedman and Combs. This study reflects the voices and experiences of 17 participants who engaged in an innovative externalization exercise combining sculpture and journaling over a period of 4 weeks. In an attempt to better understand the experience of the participants, the principal investigator also engaged in the exercise. Findings indicated that the intervention helped participants express emotions, increased their awareness of personal resources and agency, helped separate problems from self decreased symptoms and problem behaviors, and fostered a sense of empowerment. This study reveals the potential usefulness of physically externalizing problems and interacting with them deliberately over time. Such interventions may be useful components of narrative therapy or augmentations to brief therapy. They may help reach populations who have limited access to therapy services or who are reluctant to present for therapy.

We present four case illustrations highlighting the complex interplay of therapists' and clients' spirituality in therapy. Complexity, in these cases, results from (a) degrees of similarity and difference, both real and perceived, between clients' and therapists' spiritual beliefs and practices; (b) degrees of spiritual disclosure; (c) characteristics of the therapeutic relationship; and (d) geographic and cultural influences. Practicing therapists and therapist training programs can benefit from addressing how therapist and client spirituality intersect and influence therapy, how both similarity and difference present obstacles and opportunities, and how ambiguity and assumptions can contribute to misunderstandings. We believe that both the therapist's and the client's spiritualities are key influences in therapy that can contribute to the frustration, and the growth, of clients and therapists alike.

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