Working with projective identification in couples.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychotherapy
• Family Studies

Background:

• Couples therapy frequently addresses recurring anger and misunderstanding.
• These issues often stem from projective identification, a dynamic where partners disavow and project disturbing emotions onto each other.
• Conflict arises from the shared effort to avoid these undesirable feelings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer a technique for couples therapy.
• To interrupt projective identification sequences in couples.
• To enhance partners' ability to identify with and contain disturbing emotional material.

Main Methods:

• The article proposes a specific therapeutic technique.
• This technique aims to address the core issue of emotional containment within the couple.
• It guides partners in recognizing and holding onto difficult emotions.

Main Results:

• The technique facilitates the interruption of projective identification cycles.
• Partners become more capable of identifying with and containing their own and their partner's disavowed feelings.
• This leads to reduced conflict and misunderstanding in therapy sessions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed technique is effective in managing projective identification in couples therapy.
• Improving emotional containment can resolve recurring patterns of anger and misunderstanding.
• This approach offers a valuable tool for therapists working with couples facing emotional challenges.