According to Riva (2012), integrative couples therapy is one of the third generation therapies. Does this therapy emphasize private experiences, such as emotions and thoughts?acceptance and mindfulness. It also pays particular attention to the analysis of functional behavior as a means of assessing problems, taking into account the context in which they arise, the context and consequences of distorted behaviors and people’s personal history.
As Cordova (2002) mentions, this therapy is called integrative because it incorporates acceptance techniques and techniques specific to couple behavioral therapy.
- Thus.
- Integrative couple therapy implies an evolution with respect to traditional couple behavioral therapy (Jacobson and Margolin.
- 1979).
- As it incorporates a component of emotional acceptance and does not focus so much on behavior change.
- Which places it in the paradigm of third generation therapies.
Studies indicate that this is a different treatment than traditional couple behavioral therapy and that the underlying mechanisms of change make it more appropriate to solve the problems of a romantic relationship.
“Accepting what happened is the first step in overcoming the consequences of all misfortunes. “- William James-
Acceptance techniques are used to help couples cope with their differences so that they do not become sources of chronic conflict. The main strategies used, according to Dimidjian, Martell and Christense (2008), are:
“Never above you, never beneath you, always by your side. ” – Walter Winchell-
Mindfulness is a current technique that is based on very ancient teachings rooted in different Eastern and Western religions and philosophies, although Buddhism is the one that most influences this technique. It refers to mindfulness and awareness here and now, without going into judgments or values.
According to O’Kelly and Collard (2012), lifetime relationships face different tests and tests, with this technique we can better manage these situations, understand the effects they have on the relationship, in addition the technique helps each person to become aware of how they usually relate to each other in certain emotional states and improves self-control.
The pattern of this model is based on natural reinforcement (a smile, a pleasant commentary, etc. ), that is, it uses fewer rules outside of the relational dynamics itself to strengthen it than traditional behavioral therapy.
Jacobson, Christensen, Prince, Cordova and Eldridge (2000) compare couple behavioral therapy to integrative therapy. The data obtained in his study indicate that participants treated with comprehensive therapy were more satisfied with the relationship than those treated with behavioral therapy.
In a later study, Perissutti and Barraca (2013) obtained similar data and, from the analysis of 12 studies, found a slight improvement in patients who underwent integrative therapy intervention, both at the end of treatment and within a few years. However, these same authors found that after 5 years of follow-up, comprehensive therapy and behavioral therapy achieve very similar results.
“Love does not claim property, but gives freedom” – Rabindranath Tagore-
This type of therapy combines cognitive therapy techniques with new strategies to promote acceptance, helping to better understand one’s emotions and those of the other. This therapy considers people to be emotionally reactive to their partner’s different behaviors and tries to improve confidence, intimacy and complicity in the relationship.
Let us think that when there is greater acceptance, people are more willing to make changes to improve, adapt to each other, communicate more clearly and resolve conflicts.