[Crises in interpersonal relations--stimulation or blocking of mutual growth?]

Time and again, couples have to cope with changes and challenges (e.g. choice of partner, marriage, childbirth and upbringing, retirement, infirmity, etc.) which cause stress and crises to their relationship. They may try to forestall such pressing changes by entering a collusion and clinging to well-established solutions. In the therapy of chronic relational crises, it has to be taken into consideration that in case of a divorce, the partners often have no real possibilities to make a new start, and that it is often more useful to support the actual coping strategies of the couple. In urgent crises, it is recommended that the therapist structures even cuts off the partners' interactions through separation or the intervention of third parties. Only when calm has been obtained should the actual conflict be treated.