Couple relationship and triangles from the perspective of systemic psychotherapists

Abstract

In cases of severe marital conflict the therapist almost always has to deal with the triangles surrounding the marital relationship. In the article a short history of the systemic concepts of »triangulation«, »coalition«, »mystification« and »scape goat« is presented and compared with the psychoanalytic concept of the Oedipus triangle. Insights derived from a therapist's personal experiences with triangles can increase his or her therapeutic efficacy in dealing with clients' triangulations, and so some of the authors' personal experiences with triangulations are shared. The brief therapy model of triangles of Guerin et al. is presented in more detail together with clinical examples from the authors' practices. It is structured into five steps: find the triangle; define the triangle's structure and the flow of movement in the triangle; reverse the flow of movement in the triangle ; expose the emotional process; deal with the process and move towards improved functioning.