Interviewing the analysand's partner before the analysis begins: rationale and procedure

Abstract

The paper presents the rationale for offering a conjoint interview with the analysand and the spouse/partner before the psychoanalysis begins. In short, the rationale is based on the notion that the marital relationship may influence the degree of change which is possible for one to promote in the psychoanalytic therapy. The analysts may therefore want to make their own evaluation of the partner's personality and psychopathology and of the interaction between the partners.