The Heart of Couple Therapy : Knowing What to Do and How to Do It

Grounded in a deep understanding of what makes intimate relationships succeed, this book provides concrete guidelines for addressing the complexities of real-world clinical practice with couples. Leading couple therapist Ellen Wachtel describes the principles of therapeutic interventions that motivate couples to alter entrenched patterns, build on strengths, and navigate the “legacy” issues that each person brings to the relationship. She illuminates the often unrecognized choices that therapists face throughout the session and deftly explicates their implications. The epilogue by Paul Wachtel situates the author's pragmatic approach in the broader context of contemporary psychotherapy theory and research. "Grounded in a deep understanding of what makes intimate relationships succeed, this book provides concrete guidelines for addressing the complexities of real-world clinical practice with couples. Leading couple therapist Ellen Wachtel describes the principles of therapeutic intervention that motivate couples to alter entrenched patterns, build on strengths, and navigate the "legacy" issues that each person brings to the relationship. She illuminates the often unrecognized choices that therapists face throughout the session and deftly explicates their implications. The epilogue by Paul Wachtel situates the author's pragmatic approach in the broader context of contemporary psychotherapy theory and research"--Provided by publisher Cover 1 Half Title Page 3 Title Page 5 Copyright 6 Dedication 7 About the Author 9 Acknowledgments 11 Contents 13 1. Introduction: Dilemmas and Choices in Couple Therapy 15 2. What Is a Good Relationship? 32 3. Principles and Methods 45 4. The First Session 62 5. The Individual in the System: A Critical Pathway to Change 91 6. Common Underlying Relationship Issues and How to Address Them 104 7. From the First to the Second Session: Clinical Illustrations 117 8. The Genogram: A Window into the Psyche 150 9. "The Things They Carry": Working with Legacy Issues 170 10. Deepening Connections 202 11. Troubleshooting Common Challenges 240 Epilogue: Principles of Change in Individual and Couple Therapy 259 References 283 Index 291 1. Introduction: Dilemmas and Choices in Couple Therapy 2. What Is a Good Relationship? 3. Principles and Methods 4. The First Session 5. The Individual in the System: A Critical Pathway to Change 6. Common Underlying Relationship Issues and How to Address Them 7. From the First to the Second Session: Clinical Illustrations 8. The Genogram: A Window into the Psyche 9. "The Things They Carry": Working with Legacy Issues 10. Deepening Connections 11. Troubleshooting Common Challenges Epilogue. Principles of Change in Individual and Couple Therapy, Paul L. Wachtel References Index