An Existential/Dialectical Model for Analyzing Marital Functioning and Interaction

Many experienced marital therapists will acknowledge that it is difficult for them to really understand the dynamics of a couple's interaction and to plan the direction of couple therapy. This article presents a new tool, a Profile of Marital Functioning and Interaction, for developing a broad, many-faceted, but still concise picture of a couple's strengths and weaknesses. The profile is based on an existential/dialectal model for analyzing marital functioning and interaction. It is intended to assist the therapist in selecting a systematic focus in marital therapy.