Couples Therapy: A Nontraditional Approach

by Daniel B. Wile

Presents an innovative approach to couples therapy based upon a nonadversary therapeutic model that encourages partners to incorporate their conflicts and fantasies into their relationship. Sets forth a critique of the psychoanalytic, behavioral, and systems approaches and describes techniques for patient-therapist collaboration and supportive therapeutic intervention on behalf of each partner, Includes strategies for handling angry partners, withdrawn partners, polarized partners, and patients who reject the therapist's interpretations.

248 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1981

Reviews

[Shana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wile's approach to couples therapy can be summed up as helping the couple to both step inside of their pain and their core beliefs, as well as stepping outside of their usual interactions to become observers of their own relationship. I appreciated reading about his approach, but I wish so much of the book hadn't been taken up by his explanation of other theories and approaches. While I understand that he wanted to explain his perspective as a contrast to the others, I felt that the book lost me at times. Rather than defining things by what they aren't, I would have preferred for him to state from the outset what his approach IS.