Assessments for multi-heritage couple therapy: A review of existing tools

Abstract

As diversity in the United States increases, marriage and family therapists are encountering more multi-heritage couples in therapy. Recent research shows that around 11% of adults are married to someone from a different racial or ethnic group, rising to 19% among new marriages. Multi-heritage couples encompass inherent differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and culture. This article addresses the unique challenges faced by multi-heritage couples in therapy and explores the strengths and weaknesses of existing assessment tools suitable for their needs. The study highlights a limited number of existing tools that are available for therapists working with multi-heritage couples. Consequently, the article suggests future directions to enhance the development of assessment tools tailored to the specific needs of multi-heritage couples.