
Hostile Angry CoupleWorking with Couples Who Are Stuck – How The Developmental Model Helps You![]() Getting Started: Disrupting the Cycle of Externalization and Blame![]() 10 Skills for Early Sessions
Each year I mentor a small group of therapists to help them set goals for their business and clinical skills. I often ask them to assess themselves by being brutally honest about their ability on a variety of criteria that I believe make for strength and effectiveness as a couples therapist. I am including some of these here so you too can assess yourself.
Couples Therapist Self-Assessment
First, read the following statements and respond with a simple yes or no. Later, come back and use a 1-7 on a continuum from very strong to very weak.
Early Sessions with Couples:
__ I have a plan when I talk to potential clients on the telephone.… Read more...
Losing Control: When Couples Fight![]() Losing Control: When Couples Sessions Spin Out of Control![]() Clinical Example: Transcript of a Hostile Angry Couple![]() Goals of Early Therapy with Hostile Angry Couples![]() First of Four-Part Series: Challenges of Hostile Angry Couples![]() A Disarming Confrontation in Couples Therapy![]() Self-Reflection in Chronically Angry Couples
This month I’m writing about the chronically angry couple. These couples often wait too long to go to therapy or may have tried therapy with a therapist who did not provide enough structure for them. At the beginning, these couples need structure and they need for the therapist to be especially clear about the direction of their work.
Chronically angry couples have several traits in common:
1. Frequent, rapid escalation of hostility (either overtly or passive-aggressively)
2. High demand for intimacy without the developmental capacity to support the demand
3. Minimal self responsibility paired with an avoidance of vulnerability
4.… Read more...
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