Building therapeutic relationships with couples.

Contends that the ultimate goal for couples' work in therapy is not the salvation of the marriage but the fullest possible life for each individual. Couples are viewed as systems, and the contributions of general systems theory to couples treatment are illustrated in 4 clinical vignettes. It is suggested that the concept of projective identification is central to understanding and working with couples. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)