Young and the Restless Week 11: Couples Therapy Movie Experience & Paper (28 points) Couples Therapy Movie/TV Experience & Analysis Paper (Due week 11): 28 points Couples Therapy Movies Experience & Analysis Paper based is based on the UCLA Marriage Enrichment Program & Happily Ever After The Movies & Relationship Study (A research study that is being conducted by Professor Ronald D. Rogge from the University of Rochester’s Department of Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology) as well as the “PAIR Program” Promoting Awareness and Improving Relationships with Movies, my experience as a LMHC, LPC and LMFT Clinical Supervisor, Prepare/Enrich Certified Marital Counselor, Certified Supreme Court Mediator, and Certified Parent Coordinator. http://www.courses.rochester.edu/surveys/funk/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. “A recent study at UCLA of Couples after the first 3 years of marriage (Roggie, et al., 2014) suggested that couples felt enriched by watching movies together and then “engaging in relationship focused” discussions after each movie. In these conversations the couple would discuss how their relationship was similar to different from the intimate relationship portrayed in each movie.’ This is a self-growth and Movie/TV analysis experience activity. Ideally doing this with a partner would be fun however not required. You can do this alone and base it on a relationship you had or one you hope to have or your family. It is not important to disclose if it is your relationship that you are using if you do not want to however be consistent with who you are using in your reflections. The best approach to this assignment is to pick a show or a movie and watch it the beginning of the term and then at the end unless you choose a TV show to “binge” watch as part of this class or over the 3 months of class to immerse yourself into the show and couples you will be assessing and exploring in this project and take notes based on the assessment questions each time you watch the movie/show. You will be looking at the following objectives for the couple: •    Explore strength and growth areas •    Strengthen communication skills •    Identify and manage major stressors •    Conflict resolution abilities •    Develop a more balanced relationship •    Explore family of origin issues •    Discuss financial planning and budgeting •    Establish personal, couple and family goals •    Understand and appreciate personality differences Your Task (Cut and Paste these questions into a WORD document and create a template to use while watching movies/TV shows of your choice): 1) Pick 1 movie or “binge” watch a TV show (at least 4-6 episodes) related to Couples and Family. 2) Answer the following questions in a journal format or paper if you choose referencing the TV show/movies you watch, your text and other Couple and Family Therapy resources you use to support your thoughts/ideas. 1.     What movie/TV shows did you watch? List.

1. Young and the Restless
Week 11: Couples Therapy Movie Experience & Paper (28
points)
Couples Therapy Movie/TV Experience & Analysis Paper (Due
week 11): 28 points
Couples Therapy Movies Experience & Analysis Paper based is
based on the UCLA Marriage Enrichment Program & Happily
Ever After The Movies & Relationship Study (A research study
that is being conducted by Professor Ronald D. Rogge from the
University of Rochester’s Department of Clinical and Social
Sciences in Psychology) as well as the “PAIR Program”
Promoting Awareness and Improving Relationships with
Movies, my experience as a LMHC, LPC and LMFT Clinical
Supervisor, Prepare/Enrich Certified Marital Counselor,
Certified Supreme Court Mediator, and Certified Parent
Coordinator.
http://www.courses.rochester.edu/surveys/funk/ (Links to an
external site.)Links to an external site.
“A recent study at UCLA of Couples after the first 3 years of
marriage (Roggie, et al., 2014) suggested that couples felt
enriched by watching movies together and then “engaging in
relationship focused” discussions after each movie. In these
conversations the couple would discuss how their relationship
was similar to different from the intimate relationship portrayed
in each movie.’
This is a self-growth and Movie/TV analysis experience
activity. Ideally doing this with a partner would be fun however
not required. You can do this alone and base it on a relationship
you had or one you hope to have or your family. It is not

2. important to disclose if it is your relationship that you are using
if you do not want to however be consistent with who you are
using in your reflections.
The best approach to this assignment is to pick a show or a
movie and watch it the beginning of the term and then at the end
unless you choose a TV show to “binge” watch as part of this
class or over the 3 months of class to immerse yourself into the
show and couples you will be assessing and exploring in this
project and take notes based on the assessment questions each
time you watch the movie/show.
You will be looking at the following objectives for the couple:
• Explore strength and growth areas
• Strengthen communication skills
• Identify and manage major stressors
• Conflict resolution abilities
• Develop a more balanced relationship
• Explore family of origin issues
• Discuss financial planning and budgeting
• Establish personal, couple and family goals
• Understand and appreciate personality differences
Your Task (Cut and Paste these questions into a WORD
document and create a template to use while watching
movies/TV shows of your choice):
1) Pick 1 movie or “binge” watch a TV show (at least 4-6
episodes) related to Couples and Family.
2) Answer the following questions in a journal format or paper
if you choose referencing the TV show/movies you watch, your
text and other Couple and Family Therapy resources you use to
support your thoughts/ideas.

3. 1. What movie/TV shows did you watch? List the name of the
show/date/and title of the TV show for reference.
2. What was the main relationship portrayed in the movie/TV
show? What are the names of the characters on the show and
what actors played those characters? *This is the relationship
you will be focusing on for your analysis.
3. Presenting Problems: What main problems did the couple
face? Are any similar to the problems that you have ever faced
in your relationship as a couple, past relationship as a couple or
as a family?
4. Communication: Did the couple strive to understand each
other even if they were very different? Or did the couple tend to
attack each other’s differences? What are their implicit rules for
communication? How are feelings managed or expressed? How
would you assess this couples communication style and
strengths? In what way is this relationship similar or different
from your relationship or one you have had?
5. Conflict Resolution: How did the couple handle conflict,
arguments, or differences of opinion? Did the couple strive to
mediate a problem and compromise for problem resolution? Or
did the couple tend to attack each other’s differences and just
argue and move on never really listening to each other, coming
up with a compromise or solution to the problem and just move
on? How would you assess this couples ability to resolve
conflict? In what way is this relationship similar or different
from your relationship or one you have had?
6. Anger: How did the couple handle anger? Did the couple
avoid anger and just go along with things or let things build and
explode? Was it one partner or the other that had more issues
with anger management? Addressing anger? Did they use humor
to help keep things in perspective? How would you assess this

4. couples ability to deal with anger? In what way is this
relationship similar or different from your relationship or one
you have had?
7. Friendship: Did the couple have a strong friendship with
each other? Were they each other’s “best friends”? Did they
turn to each other first as opposed to others (family, friends)? If
they turned to others whom did they turn to and how did that
impact the couples relationship? Were they able to support each
other through hard times and good times? Through bad moods,
stressful days, and hard times? Did they listen to each other like
good friends do or did one or the other tell the partner what to
do, how to fix the presented problem/issue and not really listen?
How would you assess their friendship and connection to each
other? How does this resonate with you or in what way is this
relationship similar or different from your relationship or one
you have had?
8. Affection: Was the couple in the movie/TV show
affectionate to each other or distant? In what ways were they
affectionate? How would you assess their intimacy and
closeness? If it was missing what ways would you make a
recommendation of connecting and strengthening intimacy and
affection in this couples relationship as a future counseling
intern? In what way is this relationship similar or different
from your relationship or one you have had?
9. Sex: Was the couple in the movie/TV show sexual toward
or with each other? In what ways were they sexual and did they
seem to have an open communication and understanding about
sex in their relationship? Did both partners have a way to
express they wanted to have sex (how was this done)? Did both
partners have a way to communicate they did not want to have
sex? Does it appear they had an agreement on how frequent sex
would happen (every night, once a week, only on special
occasions, only if one partner asked…). How would you assess

5. their sexual relationship? If it was missing what ways would
you make a recommendation of connecting and strengthening
sex in this couples relationship as a future counseling intern?
In what way is this relationship similar or different from your
relationship or one you have had?
10. Acts of Service: Did the couple do acts of kindness (acts of
service) or considerate things for each other in an affectionate
way? If it was missing what ways would you make a
recommendation of connecting and strengthening doing nice
things for each other in this couples relationship as a future
counseling intern? In what way is this relationship similar or
different from your relationship or one you have had?
11. Family of Origin: Did the couple argue or talk about family
issues? How did the family of origin (family and in-laws)
impact the couple’s relationship? Did both go to each other
families’ homes or to celebrations or events together or apart?
How would you assess how their family of origin is impacting
the couple’s current relationship? What recommendations
regarding the impact of the family of origin on this couples
current relationship would you make as a future counseling
intern? Do they let their parents/grandparents interfere? How
did the couple let “family traditions” & expectations impact
their current relationship? How did family “obligations”
interfere? Did the couple put the extended family first as
opposed to their partner? Do they make decisions on their own
or do they listen to their families? In what way is this
relationship similar or different from your relationship or one
you have had?
12. Friends: Did the couple argue or talk about friends? How
did friends impact the couple’s relationship? Did the male in the
relationship have opposite sex relationships or same sex
depending on sexual orientation outsides of this primary
relationship? How did these “friendships” impact the couple’s

6. relationship? What recommendations regarding the impact of
opposite sex (or same sex depending on sexual orientation)
would you make as a future counseling intern? How can
relationships like this interfere with intimacy and connections
in the couple’s relationship? In what way is this relationship
similar or different from your relationship or one you have had?
13. Affairs: Did the couple or one part of the couple have an
affair? How did this impact the couple’s relationship? How can
an affair interfere with trust, intimacy and connections in the
couple’s relationship? In what way is this relationship similar
or different from your relationship or one you have had?
14. Children & Parenting: How does the couple approach
parenting and dealing with children in the family? How were
sex roles handled? How was responsibility for the children
handled? Does the couple have family rules? How are chores,
jobs and responsibilities managed? Do they agree or disagree?
Do the children get one set of rules from one parent and another
set from the other? How did the couple use the “Four C’s of
Parenting” (Williams & Cushing, 2012): Consequences?
Consistency? Calm approach? Charged batteries of parents?
What recommendations would you make as a future counseling
intern? In what way is this relationship similar or different from
your relationship or one you have had?
15. Financial Planning, Budget and Finances: Was the couple in
the movie/TV show open with each other about finances? Did
they have a plan in place or did they have their own accounts or
not talk about money? Did they hide money or spending? How
would you assess the couple’s ability to mange a budget
together and deal with financial issues? What recommendations
for budgeting, finances and spending would you have for this
couples relationship as a future counseling intern? In what way
is this relationship similar or different from your relationship or
one you have had?

7. 16. Spirituality: Did the couple have a strong sense of
spirituality or religion in their relationship? What were their
beliefs? Did they agree or have differences of opinion on
spirituality, church, or prayer? How would you assess their
spirituality and connection to a church community? How does
this resonate with you or in what way is this relationship similar
or different from your relationship or one you have had?
17. Fun: How does the couple have fun together without the
children? What activities do they engage in that is special to
their relationship and not shared with friends, family, or
children? What hobbies do they share? What sports and
activities do they engage in together? What do they do around
the house together? Apart? How do they recharge and connect
with each other? How would you assess their activity
engagement and connection to each other? How does this
resonate with you or in what way is this relationship similar or
different from your relationship or one you have had?
18. SWOT Analysis~ What are the
couples Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in
their relationship. How would you work on goal development
with this couple/family? How would you take into consideration
cultural beliefs and knowledge while planning goals for change?
How does this resonate with you or in what way is this
relationship similar or different from your relationship or one
you have had?
19. Treatment Recommendations: What treatment
recommendations would you use for would you have for this
couples relationship as a future counseling intern? What
treatment model would you recommend and why? In what way
is this relationship similar or different from your relationship or
one you have had?

8. 20. Summary: Summary of the couples functioning from all the
above areas then listing their strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities for growth, and barriers. Do the same assessing
your own relationship that you used in this exercise.
Just some famous TV Couples for consideration in this project
to get you thinking:
1. One Tree Hill ~ Nathan and Hayley
2. Dawson’s Creek ~ Pacey & Joey
3. Rules of Engagement ~ Jeff & Audrey
4. Bothers and Sisters ~ Scotty & Kevin
5. The Office ~ Jim & Pam
6. That 70’s Show
7. Friends ~ Ross & Rachel
8. 90201 ~ David & Donna
9. ER ~ Doug & Carol
10. I Love Lucy ~ Lucy & Ricky; Fred & Ethel
11. The Jefferson’s ~ George & Louise
12. Mad About You ~ Paul & Jamie
13. Sex in The City ~ Carrie & Mr. Big
14. Gilmore Girls ~ Luke & Lorelai
Current TV Shows with popular couples:
1. Grey’s Anatomy ~ Meredith & Derek
2. Chicago Fire ~ Casey & Dawson
3. Chicago PD ~ Holstead & Lindsay
4. Mike & Molly
5. Madam Secretary ~ Elizabeth & Henry McCord
6. General Hospital ~ Luke & Laura
7. Young & the Restless ~ Victor & Nicky; Adam & Chelsea
8. Bold & the Beautiful ~ Eric & Stephanie; Bill & Katie
9. The Affair ~ Noah & Alison or Noah & Helen
10. Blue Bloods ~ Danny & Linda
You can pick any movie you think applies however here is a list

9. of some frequently used Couples Therapy Movies:
1. Couples Retreat (2009)
2. Four Christmases (2008)
3. Terms of Endearment (1983)
4. When a Man Loves a Woman
5. Love Story (1970)
6. Yours, Mine, Ours
7. Blue Valentine (2010)
8. Its Complicated (2009)
9. Love and Other Drugs (2010)
10. This is 40 (2012)
11. You, Me & Dupree (2006)
12. Wanderlust (2012)
13. Unfaithful (2002)
14. The Story of Us (1999)
15. The Break-Up (2006)
16. The Big Wedding (2013)
17. Indecent Proposal (1993)
18. Fools Rush In (1997)
19. On Golden Pond (1981)
20. The Back-Up Plan (2010)
21. Monster-In-Law (2005)
22. Marley & Me (2008)
23. Life as We Know it (2010)
Grading Rubric for Couples Therapy Movie/TV Experience &
Analysis Paper (Due week 11): 28 points
1) Pick 1 movie or “binge” watch a TV show (at least 4-6
episodes) related to Couples and Family. (3 points)
2) Answered or addressed the 18 assessment areas in a journal
format or paper. (20 points)
3) Referenced the TV show/movies you watch, your text and

10. other Couple and Family Therapy resources you use to support
your thoughts/ideas. (5 points).