The couple and the psychotherapeutic group.

In some situations, when two spouses participate in the same psychotherapeutic group, we find that the group, in order to function, threatens the individual and the couple "envelope." As a result, defenses become rigid and the therapeutic process is blocked, as illustrated by two clinical vignettes. Based on this approach, the characteristics of couples for whom participation in a couple group is contraindicated are conceptualized. In order to prevent the formation of a process in which defenses are hardened, leading to the blocking of therapy, and to exploit the positive potential found in the therapeutic group, an alternative model is proposed in which the spouses are treated in two sub-groups simultaneously.