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A conceptual map is proposed in which oppositional behavior is seen as an adaptational struggle within a context of interpersonal and intrapsychic spheres of family systems. Preservation of self is viewed as inherent in all childhood psychological symptomatology, and oppositionalism serves as a prime survival strategy, aimed at navigating the conflictual forces of connectedness and individuation and regulating the progression, through time, of the family life cycle.

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In this article, the authors link a central organizing concept and process, The Functional Hypothesis, to the literature on metatheoretical approaches to the psychotherapy process. The Functional Hypothesis is presented as a central thread that runs through all family systems models, the employment of which contributes to successful therapeutic outcomes. The Functional Hypothesis is linked to the literature on client factors in emotional healing and is posited as the creative catalyst for the dynamics of the Common Factors. A Case Example is included, exemplifying the metatheoretical Internal Family Systems Therapy model which operationalizes therapeutic work with the Functional Hypothesis.

This article highlights the important link between sibling experience and couples conflict. Several key themes of marital conflict are discussed: power and hierarchy, complementary role development, proximity-distance, fairness and justice, communication styles and conflict resolution, and friendship, loyalty, and altruism. It is suggested that by exploring these current themes and their historical antecedents, the couples counselor can help to propel partners from a state of disillusionment and conflict to one of acceptance, empathy, and true intimacy. By incorporating the exploration of sibling experience into a therapy process that conveys egalitarianism and warmth, the effectiveness of couples counseling can be greatly enhanced.