ssociated with strong emotional feelings of belonging and commitment between individuals. As Browne (1995) notes, ôThe most intense of human emotions arise during the formation, maintenance, disruption and renewal of attachment relationshipsö (109). This research will examine the presenting issues of couples in relationships who seek relationship or marriage counseling. Also investigated will be the therapeutic techniques commonly used in an attempt to resolve these issues. A conclusion will discuss which techniques appear to be most effective.
There are a variety of presenting issues seen by therapists who hope to help couples resolve relationship difficulties. For most individuals undertaking relationship or marriage counseling, the partner is viewed as the ôproblemö. According to Sween (2000), ôHeÆs the problem! SheÆs the problem!...is not an uncommon start to couples therapyö (76). While this may be a familiar pattern in couples therapy, there are always underlying issues that result in such feelings. Couples often seek counseling for a variety of issues such as different communication styles, different levels of commitment to the relationship, problems with intimacy, problems with finance, the birth or loss of a child, and family problems.
The phenomenon of anger typically compounds the issues presented by couples seeking therapy. As Zuckerman (1995) explains, ôAnger is an internal state involving varying degrees of and interactions between physiological, affective, cognitive, motoric, and verbal componentsö (354). Intense emotions are engendered by relationships of intimacy. From the biopsychosocial perspective, individuals in relationships grow and develop to the point where they have or have not acquired the personal skills necessary to establish a healthy interpersonal relationship. According to Birchler (et al, 1999), ôIn dyadic relationships, the combinations of individual personalities and t...