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Strength in Numbers: The Couple Relationship in Adult Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2012

W. Kim Halford*
Affiliation:
Psychological Health Research Centre, Griffith University, Australia. [email protected]
*
*Address for correspondence: Kim Halford, Griffith Psychological Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, M24 Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University, QLD 4111, Australia.
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Abstract

The thesis advanced in this essay is that couple relationship interventions are central to effective therapy with many adult clients. I begin by reviewing a body of evidence that demonstrates the significance of couple relationships in the lives of most adults. A range of circumstances are described in which effective therapy with adults needs to address the couple relationship, even when the couple relationship is not mentioned as a presenting issue. It is concluded that individual psychological adjustment often is best understood when conceptualised within the intimate interpersonal context of the couple relationship.

Type
Invited Essay
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006

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