Adapting Enactments to Couple Reactivity: Five Developmental Stages

Abstract

Interest in change interventions that are common to different models of relationship therapy has spurred investigation of enactments as one such candidate. In change-focused enactments, therapists structure and coach couple/family interaction, as opposed to channeling interaction through the therapist. Still, varying levels of couple/family distress, volatility, and reactivity mean that readiness for enactment intervention varies along a broad continuum and changes over the course of therapy. This suggests the need for differentiated enactments. Currently, however, no model exists for adapting enactments to changing relationship conditions. We propose a five-stage developmental model of clinical operations in couple therapy that adapts the process and structure of enactments to changing levels of relationship distress, interactional volatility, and emotional reactivity. The model increases the possibility for therapists to use enactments successfully over the entire course of couple therapy. Issues to be considered in using the couple enactments model as a template for the development of enactment models for other relationship systems are noted.

Nonverbal Behavioral Indicators of Negative Affect in Couple Interaction

“…Say, for example, a therapist is working with a couple that is struggling with communication issues. This particular therapist is using an enactment-based clinical process (see Butler and Gardner 2003), wherein she/he is coaching the couple's interaction at the talk-turn level, the intention being to facilitate constructive, positive interactions between the partners. The clinician notices, following one exchange, that the husband has a genuine smile on his face, and recognizes that this might be a place where she/he can elicit some of the positive affect that is likely beneath that smile.…”

Enhancing Change Process in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy by Utilizing Couple Enactments

“…Developmentally, enactments may adapt interactional structure and therapist-role to varying levels of couple reactivity, emotionality, and volatility (Butler & Gardner, 2003). According to Butler and Gardner's (2003) developmental model, therapist-imposed structure is highest during the early stages of therapy, when couple volatility and emotionality are most likely at their pinnacle.…”

“…According to Butler and Gardner's (2003) developmental model, therapist-imposed structure is highest during the early stages of therapy, when couple volatility and emotionality are most likely at their pinnacle. As a result, couple interaction is filtered through the therapist during the early stages in order to dampen reactivity and facilitate mutual understanding.…”

Getting to the Root of Relationship Attributions: Family-of-Origin Perspectives on Self and Partner Views

“…Therapists can help their clients become aware of their own experiences, as well as their partners' experiences, with their families-of-origin. By building awareness about FOO experiences, partners might be able to gain insight into their own and their partners' relationship behaviors, which could facilitate communication and softening processes in therapy (Butler and Gardner 2003).…”