Truth and consequences in sex and marital therapy: the revelation of secrets in the therapeutic setting.

This paper describes the development by the author and his colleagues of a policy of full revelation of secrets between spouses as a prerequisite to offering sex and marital therapy. This stand is controversial, for it directly contradicts the advice and practice of many sex and marital therapists. The exploration of this therapeutic position by therapists who are firmly convinced of the need for sexual and emotional commitment, but who will not themselves betray confidences, has offered crucial new opportunities to couples. For example, many couples have been able to confront the self-serving aspects of the wish to "protect" the other partner from knowledge that would in reality subject both partners to risk and a sense of vulnerability. Remarkably, there has not been one casually in the series of more than 30 cases. Marital and sexual case illustrations, alternate methods of handling such secrets, and a discussion of the course of subsequent treatment are considered.