Behaviour Change
- Behaviour Change / Volume 23 / Issue 02 / June 2006, pp 87-102
- Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2006
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1375/bech.23.2.87 (About DOI), Published online: 22 February 2012
Invited Essay
Strength in Numbers: The Couple Relationship in Adult Therapy
W. Kim Halforda1 c1
a1 Psychological Health Research Centre, Griffith University, Australia. K.Halford@Griffith.edu.au
Abstract
The thesis advanced in this essay is that couple relationship interventions are central to effective therapy with many adult clients. I begin by reviewing a body of evidence that demonstrates the significance of couple relationships in the lives of most adults. A range of circumstances are described in which effective therapy with adults needs to address the couple relationship, even when the couple relationship is not mentioned as a presenting issue. It is concluded that individual psychological adjustment often is best understood when conceptualised within the intimate interpersonal context of the couple relationship.
Correspondence:
c1 Address for correspondence: Kim Halford, Griffith Psychological Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, M24 Mt Gravatt Campus, Griffith University, QLD 4111, Australia.
