Tough Couple Challenge #1: Do You Take On Too Much Responsibility?

A few weeks ago, my husband and Couples Institute co-founder Dr. Peter Pearson and I were talking with fellow therapists about a pattern we’ve all fallen into at one time or another.

We’re working with two partners who seem hopelessly stalled. One or both have such deep defenses that we feel ourselves walking in circles, session after session.

Conversations may be laced with denial, blame, and resentment, yet neither partner will look deeper at the possible causes.

Or things might bounce along brightly, suggesting the denial that often feels like sunshine over troubled waters.

Over time, we begin to feel frustration, feeling the urge to do something, anything to break the deadlock.

What’s going on?

In our discussion, Peter pointed out that, as therapists, it’s only natural for us to want change. We want to open the door for understanding, caring, and mutual support. 

But what’s likely to happen when we ask guarded, defensive partners to share their innermost thoughts? 

Most likely, our bid for openness will be met with even more resistance, leading us away from where we’re hoping to be. 

When defensiveness is a life script

Not all intimate partners have built rocky walls around their hearts, but quite a few have. These are people living with acute or complex trauma that makes it nearly impossible for them to trust anyone. They don’t relate well to others, and the process of therapy may make them feel handled, controlled and manipulated.

Given their past experiences, it’s no surprise that these individuals will do almost anything to feel safe. But what they’ve sacrificed in the bargain for safety is the opportunity to learn, grow, and change.

Who should drive the process?

When you’re working with people who’ve made it their life’s work to avoid introspection, ask yourself a few questions. Am I taking on too much responsibility here? Do I feel it’s my job to do all the work for them?

As Peter pointed out, we sometimes see things through a medical model that urges us to “fix” people. This suggests that the duty to create change rests mostly with us. Compare this with the more realistic goal of helping couples find their own motivation and guiding them as they do the work together. 

Finding a way in

With guarded, conflict-avoidant couples, it’s essential to accept a slower pace. This gives you the chance to witness the tiniest steps forward and offer abundant praise.

Make it your goal to spark curiosity in partners so they can adopt a spirit of discovery about each other and their relationship. You can model curiosity as you search for examples of positive, nurturing actions they take now or have taken in the past. 

Peter gave an example of dialogue he might use with a couple whose early relationship was full of spontaneity, romance, and mutual appreciation. 

“I am thinking back to something you said earlier … I found it really delightful to hear. You said that when you first got together, you had such great times! I remember you saying you offered each other so much praise and encouragement. That’s really wonderful … it’s something that the strongest couples do for each other.” 

You might emphasize that this is a skill the couple already knows. “I can see you know how to give praise and how to accept praise. This is such an essential skill, such a good sign for your relationship.”

A chance for them to work together

From there, you might guide the couple toward a conversation of how it feels to give and accept praise. This could lead to a question: “I’m curious to find out if you’d like to flex this muscle a bit … explore what it feels like to give and receive more compliments.” 

As things progress, you might invite them to try the Daily Double Challenge, an exercise requiring them to offer praise, support, or positive attention at least once a day and record their experiences. As they share their results with you, this will create natural opportunities to observe and reinforce every step they take toward each other. 

In our next post, we’ll talk more about strategies for treating the toughest couples. In the meantime, please share any questions or challenges you have in the comments section below. Your ideas are so helpful in shaping future posts and educational courses. Thank you! 

Take Action Now

The Developmental Model provides direction for working effectively with a wide variety of tough couples. In fact, the Developmental Model can help you diagnose all your couples’ issues – including what couples aren’t telling you – and tailor your interventions to exactly what’s needed in the moment. If you are interested in our comprehensive training in the Developmental Model, click here to get on the waiting list. The program is now closed, and will open for our waiting list only in late January.

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Bill White
Bill White

Excellent points and insights. A very good article. Thank you.
The next blog might be on how to approach things when you have a couple who aren’t quite on board for vulnerability AND they are in a relationship crisis and need some changes right away. They aren’t developmentally ready to go deep, but going deep is what is needed to resolve the crisis.
In cases like this, I tend to meet with them individually for a few hours (3-6hr each and usually in one or two session each) and prepare them for the deep work (introducing the methods/approaches, assessing the degree they’re on board, and the like).

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

Thank you for sharing insight into how trauma can put up barriers and complimenting each other helps open the heart.

Jaye
Jaye

This made me think of couples were one is in this mode and the other has over time tried to move forward but feels stymied at every turn, unaware of it he or she is up against solid defenses. So the second gives up becomes resigned to being stuck and just becomes negative about the others character. So the motivation isn’t really there from either side, but for different reasons. Maybe this approach would work, but it seems like the slow pace would frustrate the one who originally wanted to move ahead.

Dr. Ellyn Bader

Dr. Ellyn Bader is Co-Founder & Director of The Couples Institute and creator of The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. Ellyn is widely recognized as an expert in couples therapy, and since 2006 she has led innovative online training programs for therapists. Professionals from around the world connect with her through internet, conference calls and blog discussions to study couples therapy. Ellyn’s first book, "In Quest of the Mythical Mate," won the Clark Vincent Award by the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists for its outstanding contribution to the field of marital therapy and is now in its 18th printing. She has been featured on over 50 radio and television programs including "The Today Show" and "CBS Early Morning News," and she has been quoted in many publications including "The New York Times," "The Oprah Magazine" and "Cosmopolitan."

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