Clinician toolkit No. 07 · Couple therapy
The Couples Map
EFT, Gottman Method, and IBCT compared honestly, with partner-violence screening first, and tools for the hardest presentations.
24 pages · US Letter PDF, plus a print-friendly version · clinician edition v1.1 · for licensed clinicians and supervised associates
Instant PDF download right after purchase (full-color and print-friendly versions). Questions or refunds: contact us. Checkout is by Stripe; the seller on your receipt is Advantage Coaching, LLC.
Mason’s own product; Therapist Front Page earns from these sales.
What’s inside
Couple therapy works, on average, and well, and the evidence does not crown one model. This workbook puts safety first, then helps you match a model to the couple in front of you.
- Three evidence pages: meta-analyses, model trials, and an evidence-strength comparison, including where the gaps are
- Two pages on intimate partner violence: the evidence, then individual screening and contraindications, plus a conjoint-suitability record
- A model-selection flowchart and a side-by-side model comparison on theory of change, structure, dose, and fit
- A formulation worksheet
- Pages for infidelity, high conflict, and discernment or mixed agendas
- CSI tracking for both partners
- Scripts, two client handouts (starting couples therapy, pause plan), conjoint documentation language, pitfalls and fixes, and references
All 24 pages
- Cover · p. 01
- How to use this kit · p. 02
- Scope & disclaimer · p. 03
- Evidence: meta-analyses · p. 04
- Evidence: model trials · p. 05
- Evidence-strength comparison · p. 06
- IPV: the evidence · p. 07
- IPV screening & contraindications · p. 08
- Conjoint-suitability record · p. 09
- Model-selection flowchart · p. 10
- Model comparison · p. 11
- Formulation worksheet · p. 12
- Infidelity · p. 13
- High conflict · p. 14
- Discernment & mixed agendas · p. 15
- CSI tracking · p. 16
- Scripts · p. 17
- Client handouts: starting couples therapy; pause plan · pp. 18–19
- Documentation language · p. 20
- Pitfalls & fixes · p. 21
- References · pp. 22–24
Page 8: IPV screening & contraindications 
Page 10: Model-selection flowchart 
Page 11: Model comparison 
Page 13: Infidelity 
Page 16: CSI tracking
How clinicians use it
Work it across assessment and the first weeks of treatment, alongside your usual intake and documentation.
Built for
- Clinicians starting or deepening couple work
- Choosing between EFT, Gottman Method, and IBCT with the couple
- Couples dealing with infidelity, escalating conflict, or one partner halfway out the door
- Supervised associates screening for partner violence before conjoint work
A simple flow
- Know what the evidence can carry.
- Screen each partner alone for violence, fear, and control.
- Follow the flowchart from first contact to a chosen model.
- Match model to couple, within your training.
- Measure both partners with the CSI, and plan for the hard cases.
Scope
This is clinical decision support, not a treatment manual or a substitute for model-specific training and consultation. It is not a violence risk assessment instrument or a lethality tool, and it is not legal advice on records, privilege, or mandated reporting. No manuals or proprietary assessments are reproduced: EFT, Gottman Method, and IBCT content belongs to their developers, Gottman Institute assessments are not included, and models are described in original words. When in doubt about safety, see partners separately and consult.
Get The Couples Map
Instant PDF download right after purchase (full-color and print-friendly versions). Questions or refunds: contact us. Checkout is by Stripe; the seller on your receipt is Advantage Coaching, LLC.
Mason’s own product; Therapist Front Page earns from these sales.
Created by Mason Anglin, PsyD, LMFT, MBA · LMFT #121211 · Registered Psychological Associate #PSB94029529
An educational, clinical decision-support tool for licensed clinicians and supervised associates. It does not diagnose, it is not a standardized or validated measure, it does not reproduce DSM-5-TR criteria or screener items, and it does not replace clinical judgment, supervision, or protocol training. Licensed for use with your own clients; please don’t redistribute or resell it.