Marriage Contracts and Couple Therapy: Hidden Forces in Intimate Relationships

Uses concept of the marriage contract to illuminate how & why many marriages do not fulfill their purposes. Demonstrates a practical therapeutic approach for preventing & treating marital problems. Will assist the therapist in helping the couple uncover & explore the various unwritten & unspoken terms of their contracts. As husband, wife, & therapist become aware of the different contractual clauses & focus on areas of basic disagreement, the partners can make concessions, working toward a single joint contract that is agreed upon at all levels of awareness. Shows how the therapist can predict an interactional pattern in various partnership combinations.