Final answer:
Clinical psychologists influenced by the social change movements of the 1960s and World War II optimism, have had profound effects on the evolution of couples and family counseling, driving the shift towards family and couple-focused therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group said to have the most profound influences on the evolution of couples and family counseling is clinical psychologists, especially those involved in social change and liberation movements. The 1960s were a time of significant reforms in the mental health systems, and these reforms, along with the optimism after World War II, led to new approaches in therapy. Clinical psychologists at a landmark conference in 1965 were poised for change and influenced by ideas such as group dynamics, action research, and the burgeoning movements for social change. These elements encouraged a shift from individual to family and couple-focused modalities in psychological practice. Additionally, thinkers like Talcott Parsons, Robert Bales, and Salvador Minuchin contributed theoretical frameworks that have had lasting impacts on the field.