Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Individual Psychology: a Dialogue Across Theories
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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Individual Psychology: A Dialogue Across Theories Paul R. Peluso and Heather Maclntosh Abstract The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the link between the major theoretical tenets of Emotionally Focused Therapy (Johnson, 1 996) and Individual Psychology (Ansbacher & Ansbacher, 1955) in the practice of couples therapy. The two theories are similar in many theoretical and practical ways' These areas of convergence and collaboration are outlined, as are the unique contributions that each approach has to offer practitioners of the other. Psychodynamic theories of personality have persisted over the decades beginning with Sigmund Freud. While many theorists subsequently refined or replaced Freud's initial theory, one element has remained consistent throughout psychodynamic thought: Human behavior is governed by pat- terns that are developed from early experiences (Bankart, 1 997). Two theories of personality arising from the psychodynamic perspective are Individual Psychology, developed by Alfred Adler in the 1920s and 1930s, and Attach- mentTheory, developed initially by John Bowlby in the 1940s and 1950s. Proponents of each of these theories try to use their concepts to explain an individual's methods of relating to others, viewing the world, and guiding their behaviors (Adler as cited in Ansbacher & Ansbacher, 1956; Bowlby, 19BB). Adlerian clinicians refer to these governing behaviors or personality dynamics as the lifestyle, while attachment theorists describe these dynamics as Attachment Styles. Yet few comparisons have been made between these two major constructs (e.8., Jones & Lyddon, 2003; Watkins,1997; Watts & Shulman, 2003). Recently, there has been an effort to investigate the applicability of lndi- vidual Psychology with various cognitive and constructivist theories in order to integrate the commonalties between the two, broaden the exposure of clinicians and researchers to Adlerian concepts, and correct many of the mistaken notions about lndividual Psychology held by those who use other approaches (Carlson, 1991; Sperry,2003; Watts & Critelli, 1997; Watts & Shulman, 2003). In fact, Peluso, Peluso, Kern, and White (2004) reviewed the theoretical constructs underlying the similarities of the two approaches' Specifically, they found consistency in both approaches in their primary con- structs as well as treatment approaches. fhe Joumal of lnclividual Psychology,vol. 63, No. 3, Fall 2007 O2Oo7 by the Univcrsity ofTexas Press, PO. Box 7Bl 9, Auslin,Tx 7871!-7819 Editorial office located in lhe College of Education at Cmr8ia State Univerity' 248 Paul R. Peluso and Heather Maclntosh At the same time, arguably, the most dynamic, modern theoretical approaches to have emerged in the last 20 years have used Bowlby's At- tachment Theory. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT; Johnson, 2A02, 2003) has proved that these construcr can be applied in a coherent therapeutic context and that they can be empirically shown to have a positive effect. The major areas of convergence between the two theories are that both include a coherent and stable view of the self and the world (and others) and both acknowledge the importance of social interaction for the expression of these patterns (Peluso et al., 2004). Below, we outline the major theoretical tenets of EFT and lndividual Psychology as they relate to couples therapy. Adlerian Theorv and Couples Therapv Adler (as cited in Ansbacher & Ansbacher) wrote that individuals ac- tively participate in the creation of the main personality factor in Individual Psychology, the lifestyle. This subjective creation of reality is shaped from a very early age as a result of interactions within the family unit. According to Adler, it is from this subjective view of life (which he called the "schema of apperception") that the individual constructs a "private logic," that is, the collection of attitudes and reactions the individual has about life and his or her place in it. This process takes place by the age of 6 (with some variability due to individual and/or cultural differences). At this stage of development, individuals make decisions about their place in the world, what behaviors or strategies they will need to employ in order to belong in a social group, and how this belonging to a social group will help them get basic physical and emotional needs met. The social feelin g (Gemeinschattsgefiihll that the individual innately has, and the extent to which it gets expressed, is tied into the overall family atmosphere and the conclusions that the individual draws from it. Hence, the family, as the prototypical social group for the child, plays a crucial role related to the development of this "private logic" and eventual lifestyle. This lifestyle becomes the response set for life, and it is the com- mon thread that weaves an individual's thoughts, feelings, and actions into a coherent pattern (Ansbacher & Ansbacher, 1956).In addition, once it is set in place, the lifestyle remains relatively stable through adulthood (Peluso et al.,2OO4).This is not to say that the lifestyle is static and unchanging but that it represents the stable and predictable aspects of a person throughout his or her life. ln fact, Adlerian practitioners believe that individuals can learn how to make their particular lifestyle work better for them either through life experiences or psychotherapy (Ansbacher & Ansbacher; Peluso,2006). Of course, the purpose of Individual Psychology is to provide a system of understanding human behavior and development in order to help those Emotionally Focused Therapy 249 individuals who are either suffering from serious mental illnesses or having difficulty mastering the basic tasks of life. As such, the lifestyle is probably the most crucial element in Adlerian psychotherapy. lt is central to the ori- gin and maintenance of the problem (via the "psychology of use") as well as the development and implementation of the solution. The lifestyle flows from the client's perceptions and experiences of the world (especially in the family of origin) and is manifest in the client's behavior, or movement in the world. lt is also evinced in the client's relations with others in terms of the quality and quantity of relationships (Peluso, 2006). ln terms of partner selection and couples treatment, from an lndividual Psychology perspective, partners are chosen based on the compatibility of lifestyles, goals, and belief systems. The couple comes together and forms a relational dyad that is influenced by each partner and creates a system whereby the individual choices of each partner have a unique bearing on the functioning of the system. The thoughts, feelings, and attitudes all influence the behavior of either person as well as the direction of the couple system. Dreikurs {1946) believed that when there is stress or discord, those elements in one's partner that attracted one become the same behaviors that create problems. This is why, according to Adlerian theorists, the choices that a couple makes are not accidental and are (ideally) directed toward the goal of communication and respect as equals (Carlson & Dinkmeyer, 1999). How- ever, this does not always materialize, as individual private logic, goals, and lifestyle dynamics can guide the system into either function or dysfunction. Hence, the behavior that is exhibited by a couple, even if it is destructive on the surface, may actually represent a creative attempt at negotiating a bal- ance between each partner's needs. Almost all Adlerian therapy uses some variation of the four-stage model outlined by Dreikurs (1967), which consists of (a) relationship building, (b) investigation, (c) interpretation, and (d) reorientation. In the relationship building stage, it is incumbent upon the therapist to create a solid thera- peutic alliance with the couple, demonstrate fairness in dealing with both partners, and provide a secure base from which to work. In the next phase, investigation, lifestyle analysis of each person is conducted and,includes an examination of family-of-origin dynamics (psychological birth order, family atmosphere) and early recollections. From this analysis, the couple's private logic and goals can be determined. Interpretation allows the therapist to juxtapose the styles of life of both partners and reflect how the dynamics and behavioral choices of each partner are contributing to the disruption in the marital system. The insight into the couple's relationship allows the therapist to begin interventions and help the couple to make some different choices in relating to one another. The reorientation phase is the aspect of therapy where the couple, under the guidance and encouragement of the therapist, 250 Paul R. Peluso and Heather Maclntosh creates an action plan based on the result of the lifesgle assessment and in light of the presenting problem. The couple makes specific changes in their interactions with each other and evaluates the effect on the relationship. Termination is usually based upon mutual agreement between clients and therapist once the main goals of therapy have been accomplished (Carlson & Sperry, 2000). Adlerian couples therapy is neither deterministic nor fatalistic. Instead, at any time, either partner can effect change by making different choices and thus affecting the system. ln Adlerian therapy, each member of the couple must take responsibility for his or her own behavior. Once he or she knows how mistaken goals or lifestyle dynamics create problems in the relationship, then that person must take the initiative and make the effort to change his or her responses. The Adlerian therapist looks for the creativity in the solution and attempts to marshal the same resources toward a more equitable and constructive solution (Carlson & Dinkmeyer, 1999; Carlson & Sperry, 2000). However, the ability to make changes within a system requires insight, cour- age, and a sense of humor about one's self and life. Thus, the therapist must act as encourager, detective, and sometimes humorist as the couple is guided through the therapeutic process toward a more egalitarian and just solution to their problem (Sperry Carlson, & Peluso, 2006).