Working Experientially and Somatically with Couples

SUMMARY

Working experientially and somatically with couples is a powerful method of accessing, exploring, and transforming both intra-psychic issues and interactional patterns. In this article, a number of methods of working experientially will be described, along with their underlying rationale. Basic assumptions about the nature of couple's difficulties and the role of the therapist also will be explored along with an integrated approach to assessment that provides a solid basis for these dramatic interventions.

Key Words:

• Experiential
• supporting defenses
• assessment
• assumptions
• mindfulness
• posture
• gestures
• movement
• somatic signals
• physicalizing the interaction
• verbal experiments
• transference
• transformation
• integration