In this video program, Dr. Ellen F. Wachtel demonstrates her approach to couple therapy, which emphasizes the positives that still exist in the relationship despite the difficulties that have brought the couple to treatment. Although not ignoring the couple's conflicts and complaints, this strength-based, integrative approach emphasizes the goal of helping each person in the couple to get more of what he or she is longing for, thereby highlighting positives rather than deficiencies, and fostering self-reflection rather than blame. In this video program, Dr. Ellen Wachtel demonstrates this therapeutic approach with a couple dealing with an impasse in the relationship, while Dr. Paul Wachtel examines and highlights teaching moments taken from the demonstration.
