@article{ref1,
title="Thinking under fire: mentalization-based couple therapy for high conflict and domestically abusive couples'",
journal="Journal of clinical psychology (Hoboken)",
year="2022",
author="McCann, Damian",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The question of working psychotherapeutically with high conflict and domestically abusive couples is one that continues to raise anxieties within the field. AIMS: Embracing a relational approach offers an alternative perspective to the more familiar individual-based treatment interventions. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drawing on my therapy with a married couple who presented in a crisis following an abusive incident, I will outline how I approached the assessment, my understanding of their presenting problem and the basis on which the therapy was conducted. <br><br>RESULTS: During the eight months of treatment, the couple had frequent breakdowns in communication, and I found myself drawing on a range of mentalization-based techniques that supported and maintained the working alliance. <br><br>DISCUSSION: Helping the couple break the damaging effects of the abuse, which was seriously affecting them and impacting their children, provides a particular focus for this submission. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The rationale for undertaking couple therapy in situations of domestic violence and abuse was examined. The dynamic elements of theory underpinning practice, together with mentalization-based techniques designed to tackle disregulated states of mind that may lead to violent and abusive exchanges, were considered through the presentation of a case example.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0021-9762",
doi="10.1002/jclp.23296",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23296"
}