Anger and Aggressiveness in Couple Therapy: Some Clinical Considerations from an Intersubjective Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of my paper is to deal with the significant aspects related to engaging and treating couples with high levels of aggression and violence. In particular, the main focus of my work is to examine closely the traits and characteristics of the field that is created by the convergence of the respective subjectivity of partners and therapist from a relational and intersubjective perspective. The violence that penetrates the triadic relationship during the session is observed in its formational aspects in the here and now, as well as actualisation of traumatic events suffered by one or both partners. Rage and aggressiveness can be understood more clearly and treated like emerging emotional states, with the aim of increasing the transformative potential. These emotional states are reactivated by the relationship that is co-created by the components of the triadic relationship. Particular attention will be placed on countertransferential receptiveness, on the manner in which the therapist comes into contact with the often extreme and primal emotional states of the couple, on the impact and the effect that these have on his mind, on how they can be recognised and understood in the context of projective echoes, and, last, traced back to their historical significance. By means of these procedures, a solid therapeutic alliance may be developed with the couple. It is an alliance that becomes a fundamental reorganisation element of healing aspects, belonging to both the individual Self and the conjugal Self.