Consciousness of Context in Relational Couples Therapy

Mirkin, Marsha Pravder; Geib, Pamela

doi:10.1300/j086v11n01_02

Cited by 9 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Differentiation is recast by feminist writers as a mode of authentic connection, rather than as just separation-individuation (Goodrich, 1991). Recently, the Stone Center has expanded its focus to a relational understanding of men's development (Bergman, 1991) and a relational model of couples therapy (Bergman & Surrey, 1992Mirkin & Geib, 1995). The Stone Center relational model echoes much of Buber's philosophy, although Buber is not cited in this literature.…”

Section: Relational Models Of Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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I, Thou, and We: A Dialogical Approach to Couples Therapy

Fishbane

1998

J Marital Family Therapy

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This paper examines the relational view of the person in Martin Buber's philosophy of dialogue. Shifts toward the relational are considered in the context of human development, gender studies, psychotherapy, and family therapy. A dialogical approach to couples therapy is presented, in which partners are encouraged to move toward a more collaborative, empathic relationship--a relationship of "I and Thou."

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Section: Relational Models Of Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(Buber, 1965a, p. 69) Buber contrasts "imposing oneself on someone" with "helping someone to unfold" (1965a, p. 84). In a relational approach, the therapist works collaboratively with the couple, not imposing change on them (see also Mirkin & Geib, 1995).…”

Section: Position Of the Therapistmentioning

confidence: 99%

I, Thou, and We: A Dialogical Approach to Couples Therapy

Fishbane

1998

J Marital Family Therapy

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“…They are caught in a “power over” struggle, each blocking out the experience of the other. In this process, each partner relates to self as subject, and to the other as object; “movement and narrative possibility have been frozen” (Mirkin & Geib, 1995, p. 3). Such moments of impasse can lead to relational despair for the couple.…”

Section: Clinical Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relational Narratives of the Self*

Fishbane¹

2001

Family Process

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The prevailing view of the self in contemporary Western culture is of the autonomous, separate individual. This article considers shifts toward a more relational view in thinking about the self, in developmental psychology and in therapy, especially family therapy. From diverse perspectives this relational narrative of the self is explored, highlighting relational formulations about autonomy, power, and connection/disconnection. Therapeutic approaches that are grounded in a relational narrative are considered. Finally, this article explores, through clinical vignettes, the impact on individuals and their significant others when they shift to a more relational view of the self in their own lives.

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“…It is more complex, and often becomes a multigenerational story. We are helping the couple move from a narrow, rigid perspective of their impasse to a larger view based in a broader context (Mirkin & Geib, 1995). Likewise, situating our observations about the couple's dilemmas within their sociocultural contexts of gender, power, or ethnic backgrounds also widens the context and enlarges their story.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Externalizing the impasse. “Externalizing the impasse” is an adaptation of Michael White's (1989) work with externalizing the problem (see also Mirkin & Geib, 1995; Zimmerman & Dickerson, 1993). The problem here, the couple's impasse, is reframed as external to the couple and therefore potentially controllable.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Vulnerability Cycle: Working With Impasses in Couple Therapy

Scheinkman¹,

Fishbane

2004

Family Process

116

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In this article, we propose the vulnerability cycle as a construct for understanding and working with couples' impasses. We expand the interactional concept of couples' reciprocal patterns to include behavioral and subjective dimensions, and articulate specific processes that trigger and maintain couples' entanglements. We consider the vulnerability cycle as a nexus of integration in which "vulnerabilities" and "survival positions" are key ideas that bring together interactional, sociocultural, intrapsychic, and intergenerational levels of meaning and process. The vulnerability cycle diagram is presented as a tool for organizing information. We suggest a therapeutic approach for deconstructing couples' impasses and facilitating new patterns through deliberate modes of questioning, a freeze-frame technique, stimulation of calmness and reflection, separating present from past, and elicitation of alternative meanings, behaviors, empathy, and choice. This approach encourages the therapist and couple to work collaboratively in promoting change and resilience.

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Consciousness of Context in Relational Couples Therapy

Cited by 9 publications

References 3 publications

I, Thou, and We: A Dialogical Approach to Couples Therapy

I, Thou, and We: A Dialogical Approach to Couples Therapy

Relational Narratives of the Self*

The Vulnerability Cycle: Working With Impasses in Couple Therapy

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