The relational heart of Couples Therapy: In conversation with Dr Orna Guralnik

Abstract

This article is based on the author’s conversation in December 2023 with Orna Guralnik about the television series Couples Therapy, based on the filming of couples in sessions with her. They discussed the programme and its production, and also its link to her academic work, which presents a psychosocial approach to clinical practice. Their conversation covered three broad areas: Couples Therapy and therapeutic culture, Couples Therapy and the radically altered psychoanalytic frame, and finally Couples Therapy and sociopolitical culture. They explored the way in which the television series aims to help couples and the public to understand more of themselves in their relationships, and offers a glimpse of what couple psychotherapy can offer to families and couples who need help. Bringing in Guralnik’s academic work also highlighted the importance of opening up space for a conversation in the profession about different approaches to couple psychotherapy which respect difference and maintain curiosity. This article presents extracts from their wide-ranging conversation which interlink reflections on the television series, contemporary culture, and psychosocial approaches to clinical practice.