"Somewhere (There's a Place for Us)…": A Cross-cultural Approach to Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy with Cross-cultural Couples

Abstract

This paper considers the use and limitations of psychoanalytic psychotherapy with cross-cultural and inter-racial couples. It examines the notion of "difference", its impact on couple relationships and on the theory and practice of couple therapy. It acknowledges the need to adapt to new social circumstances while stressing the importance of preserving the essence of a psychoanalytic approach. The paper includes vignettes and a comparison between aspects of object relations and link theories.