Combined Couples’ Therapy: A Qualitative Study of Individual and Conjoint Sessions

ABSTRACT Combined couples’ therapy is an integrative format of couple therapy where the therapist combines the use of individual and conjoint sessions in therapy. However, little is known about the processes that occur in this type of therapy. In this study, a qualitative analysis of written records was undertaken to identify certain characteristics of combined couples’ therapy themes and goals. There were 15 cases identified for inclusion in this study. The majority of the clients were young educated couples in their first family life cycle stage, from middle to upper socioeconomic status, having dual careers. Results show that while dyadic/systemic issues are discussed in individual and conjoint sessions, the sessions differ in goals addressed. Moreover, certain themes like self-in-marriage concerns, unresolved past conflicts, violence, and resistance for conjoint sessions are addressed exclusively in individual sessions. The findings have implications for individual and conjoint sessions in couples’ therapy.