The Impact of Therapist Actions on the Balance of Power Within the Couple System: A Qualitative Analysis of Therapy Sessions

Abstract

Power inequality is an important concern in couple therapy, yet little research addresses how therapists deal with this issue. This qualitative, grounded theory analysis of 21 transcripts of couple therapy sessions examined how therapist actions influenced the balance of power between partners in the moment to moment processes of therapy. The analysis identified five kinds of therapist actions that perpetuated power imbalances: (a) discounting the person in the one-down position, (b) allowing the one-up person to define the conversation, (c) reinforcing dominant person's negative comments about partner, (d) using professional privilege to assume experience of the one-down person, and (e) speaking as though the relationship was equal when it was not. Six other actions helped interrupt current power imbalances and encouraged more equal power: (a) using therapist voice to create balance, (b) creating space for one-down voice, (c) naming power discrepancies, (d) validating competence of the one-down person, (e) suggesting new options, and (f) encouraging powerful partner to shift to a relational perspective. The results help couple therapists develop greater sensitivity and awareness of the impact of their interventions on the power balance of the couple.

KEYWORDS:

• couple therapy
• power
• inequality
• gender interventions