Thursday, 16 May 2013

The Importance of Repair Tools

'The underlying philosophy is consistent with research, which shows that lasting success in relationships requires a combination of increasing positive regard in relationships, and ability to use repair techniques in conflict.'

This statement really resonated with me when I read it a few weeks ago - its clear focus on increasing positive regard captures something of the challenge of working with two people who are in a relationship but have come to see each other as dangerous on some level. 


Right now I am working with a couple where the love is clear in the room yet through the conflicts and experiences of the past he tells himself that she is toxic to him and she tells herself that he will never change - and so they look longingly and hopelessly across the space at each other.
This couple have had repair techniques in conflict that have clearly not served them well!

Part of the magical, absorbing work I do is introducing them to a new 'repair technique' that does what it says on the box...it repairs after conflict. The conflict that makes them experience each other as dangerous and cuts them off from whatever positive regard they do have can now be worked with by them with gradually increasing confidence.


I LOVE my work!


Of course...they do have to use the repair tool-and there in lies another adventure!

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