Skip to main content
Not Found
Audio Stream

CC95 Panel 13 - The Role of Empathy and Differentiation in Couples Therapy - Ellyn Bader, PhD; Harville Hendrix, PhD; David Schnarch, PhD

Average Rating:
Not yet rated
Topic Areas:
Topical Panels |  Empathy |  Differentiation |  Couples Therapy |  Attachment |  Psychotherapy |  Relationships |  Therapist Techniques |  Clinical Psychology |  Family Therapy |  Psychoanalysis |  Therapeutic Model
Categories:
Couples Conference 1995 |  Couples Conference
Faculty:
Ellyn Bader, PhD |  Harville Hendrix, PhD |  David Schnarch, PhD
Duration:
2:19:19
Format:
Audio Only
Original Program Date:
Mar 04, 1995
License:
Never Expires.
Save for Later  Add to Cart »

Tags: Couples Therapy Differentiation Empathy Coping Strategies Clinical Applications Developmental Growth Emotional Safety Therapeutic Method Self-Definition Symbiosis Anxiety Self-Soothing Mutuality Relationship Conflict Emotional Regulation Personal Growth Therapist Role Structured Interventions Client Comfort Therapeutic Adaptation Self-Regulation Emotional Engagement Self-Care Paradigm Shift Relationship Primacy Therapy Process Therapy within a Marital System Sexual Crucible Approach Parenting Developmental Issues Object Relations

Description

Description:

Educational Objectives:

  1. To compare and contrast clinical and philosophical perspectives of experts.

*Sessions may be edited for content and to preserve confidentiality*

Outline:

  • Introduction & Panel Overview

    • Panelists: Drs. Ellyn Bader, Harville Hendrix, David Schnarch.

    • Focus: Empathy and differentiation in couples therapy; highlighting differences respectfully.

  • Empathy & Differentiation (Harville Hendrix)

    • Therapy restarts developmental growth rather than just solving problems.

    • Emphasizes breaking unhealthy symbiosis through empathy.

    • Views attachment and connection as lifelong needs.

  • Differentiation & Therapeutic Interventions (David Schnarch)

    • Differentiation: clearly defining self while managing anxiety in relationships.

    • Critiques regressive therapy methods (e.g., lock-step mirroring, no-exit contracts).

    • Advocates structured interventions (Initiator-Inquirer process) to increase intimacy, autonomy, and empathy.

  • Empathy vs. Differentiation Debate

    • Hendrix emphasizes relational primacy, advocating relationship safety and mutuality.

    • Schnarch stresses internal self-reliance, anxiety tolerance, and differentiation before empathy.

    • Panel explores differences between authentic differentiation and dependency on partner validation.

  • Role of Therapist & Therapeutic Techniques

    • Therapist's own differentiation level crucial in therapy outcomes.

    • Encourages client self-responsibility, self-regulation, and integrity rather than therapist dependency.

    • Panelists agree therapist personality significantly impacts therapy effectiveness.

  • Mutuality & Sexual Dynamics

    • Explores healthy mutuality vs. unhealthy reliance in sexual relationships.

    • Discusses the complexity and necessity of healthy aggression and mutuality in intimacy.

  • Final Consensus

    • Differentiation and empathy must integrate for effective couples therapy.

    • Highlights importance of respectful disagreement and growth in therapeutic practice.

Credits

Faculty

Ellyn Bader, PhD's Profile

Ellyn Bader, PhD Related Seminars and Products

Ellyn Bader, PhD, is a founder and director of The Couples Institute in Menlo Park, California. As a clinical psychologist, workshop leader, author, and speaker, she is dedicated to helping couples create extraordinary relationships. Over the past 30 years she has trained therapists in couples therapy throughout the United States as well as Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. She served as a Clinical Faculty in Stanford University School of Medicine for 8 years.

Harville Hendrix, PhD's Profile

Harville Hendrix, PhD Related Seminars and Products

Harville Hendrix, PhD and Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD are partners in life and work. Their lives and work are integrated in their commitment to the transformation of couples and families and to the evolution of a relational culture that supports universal equality. Harville is co-creator of Imago Relationship Therapy and co-founder of Imago Relationships International. Chancellor of the Imago International Institute and emeritus board member of IRI. Dr. Hendrix has received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Mercer University, Macon, GA, the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and the Distinguished Contributors Award by the Association for Imago Relationship Therapy. His latest book, written with his wife, Helen Hunt, is Receiving Love. 

David Schnarch, PhD Related Seminars and Products

DAVID SCHNARCH, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of the Marriage & Family Health Center in Evergreen, Colorado. Dr. Schnarch is widely recognized as a leader in integrating sexual and marital therapy. In 1997, he became the first recipient of the AASECT Professional Standard of Excellence Award.

Reviews

Back to Top