Selective orientation for analytical and Adlerian couple therapy

Abstract

In the event of problems between spouses, couples therapy is only recommended if both partners consider it necessary and request it. When only one spouse enters therapy, the other may feel marginalized, jealous, or exhibit neurotic behaviors that were previously compensated for. The difficulties encountered in couples therapy include the diversity of each partner's requests, the desire for individualized attention, increased competition, the need to protect oneself from feelings of guilt, and the possibility of aggression. The analyst must be particularly careful to manage transference mechanisms fairly, without inhibiting or forcing anyone to abandon the process. Extramarital affairs, pathologies, and behaviors that one of the spouses wants to keep secret are contraindications for couples therapy, but even in the case of individual treatment, three-way sessions may be necessary