Couples therapy on the brink of relationship breakdown involves unique challenges. Partners exhibit high levels of conflict, low levels of intimacy, contempt, and frustration, as well as limited patience or hope. These couples have often tried therapy without lasting success and declare that "this is our last chance." Partners want to see evidence from the first session that the therapist can offer something new and that change is possible.
Peter Fraenkel presents a practical, creative, and comprehensive approach that combines action and perception techniques, helping last-chance couples manage conflict, regulate intense negative emotions, address power struggles, develop mutual compassion, and restore emotional intimacy and enjoyable connection. Particular attention is given to developing a collaborative therapeutic alliance when partners have little motivation for therapy or belief that it can be effective.
Through participation in "non-binding experiments of possibility," partners can then better assess whether to "stay or leave."
Pages: 432, Publication Year: 0219, Dimensions: 16x16cm
