An Object Relations Perspective on Couples Group Therapy

Abstract

This article presents a couples group therapy treatment approach that uses analytic object relations concepts such as transference/countertransference, projective identification, containment, and the holding environment. Object relations theory is seen as the most useful theory with which to view couple interaction because it is based on a two-person psychology and focuses on the impact of relational systems on the development of the person. This includes the idea that the person grows within the attachment to another person. Group therapy is seen as a more effective treatment approach because the group is a resilient holding environment that provides an avenue in which projective identifications can be understood and contained, power can be redefined, isolation of the couple can be decreased, and the couple's responses can become more versatile. The model described is illustrated with clinical vignettes from an open-ended couples group.

Grupoterapia breve de múltiplos casais em hospital-dia

“…Encoraja-se a livre expressão de seus participantes, assim como são proporcionadas experiências de troca entre os casais que ativam mudanças positivas na área afetiva e cognitiva (Feld, 1997).…”