Conjoint psychotherapy of marital pairs.

Many traditional concepts are being challenged in contemporary psychiatric practice, including the classical "one-to-one" relationship of individual psychotherapy. Where the patient's presenting difficulties include significant inability to function or feel happy in the marital role, the technique of conjoint psychotherapy (having both partners treated simultaneously by the same doctor) may be indicated. Conjoint therapy is envisaged as a continuum, embracing a considerable range of situations where it is sound practice to see husband and wife together. The treatment plan has three stages: complaint, clarification, and compromise, each of which presents specific features and pitfalls. Emphasis is placed on dealing with individual psychopathology of each partner, both per se and in relation to the marital situation. Results to date suggest that conjoint treatment represents a promising therapeutic modality. Even in cases where individual psychopathology cannot fully be resolved, certain plateaus of satisfaction may be attained as communication improves.