Distancing for intimacy in lesbian relationships.

The authors present a collaborative treatment model designed to help the closely merged, troubled lesbian relationship. Therapeutic techniques focus on change in territorial, temporal, monetary, cognitive, emotional, and environmental space. A case example illustrates the interventions, which include individual and conjoint work, collaboration between therapists, education, bibliotherapy, referral to gay community resources, and specific suggestions for behavior change. The therapeutic goal is to restore intimacy to the relationship by offering each partner increased distance, personal space, and individual autonomy.