Behavioural-psychodynamic approaches to marital therapy—an exploration of possibilities

Abstract

Marital therapists have operated for many years combining components of behavioural and psychodynamic therapies in their work. This has been carried out largely on a pragmatic basis, and consequently there is a strong case for developing a firmer theoretical basis to underlie such an enterprise. Without this, those operating from a clear, single theoretical base can justly accuse those combining the two theories of not operating within valid parameters. Some have expressed pessimism about the whole exercise of combining these two particular therapies, but the aim of this article is to show the possibility of at least two fruitful kinds of integration. These need to be developed further in the light of the ongoing debate about psychoanalysis and behaviourism, and current clinical experience and practice.