Two on one: Dialectical psychotherapy.

Abstract

Two therapists treating one patient is an effective technique not only in dealing with therapeutic impasses but as a therapeutic technique by itself.

Supervising the advanced trainee: A multiple therapy training model.

“…Numerous articles have addressed the use of multiple therapy (or co-therapy) as a method of treatment, apart from training considerations. Clinicians have written about the application of this method with individual patients (Hoffman, Kohener & Shapira, 1987; Haget & Serber, 1970; Solomon & Morrison, 1972; Treppa, 1971; Treppa & Nun-nelly, 1974; Watterson & Collinson, 1976; Win-berg & Sheverbush, 1980), with couples and families (Framo, 1965; Hoffman & Gafni, 1984; Hoffman & Laub, 1986; Laub & Hoffman, 1987), and with therapy groups (Benjamin, 1972; Bowers & Gauron, 1981; Davis & Lohr, 1971; Lundin & Aronov, 1952), addressing advantages and disadvantages, co-therapist matching and appropriate selection of patients.…”

Cotherapy treatment of phobias: A case study

“…Throughout the therapy sessions, each therapist assumed a specific role decided on beforehand (Hoffman, et al, 1987). The "experts" role was that of the "flooder" and instrumentalist who directed the pace and goals of treatment while his colleague was the "desensitizer" and nurturer who accompanied the patient through her perilous journey and looked after her emotional needs and state.…”

Dialectical letters: An integration of dialectical cotherapy and narrative therapy.

“…In dialectical cotherapy, the two therapists engage in a polar dialogue in the presence of the client, couple, family, or group. This dialogue externalizes the clients' intra- and interpersonal conflicts through the dramatic interactions between the therapists and allows the clients to become actively involved observers (Hoffman, Kohener, & Shapira, 1987). In couple cotherapy, for instance, the polar dialogue between the therapists externalizes the conflict between the spouses, which is often also a representation of an inner covert intrapersonal dialogue.…”

“…It may also help the client to get in touch with a covert issue that is projected on the spouse. In family therapy, the therapists can reveal disputes, patterns, and hidden family laws by expressing their polarized views, thus facilitating the therapeutic process through the dialectical tension (Hoffman et al, 1987, pp. 111–134).…”