A self psychologist in couplesland: multisubjective approach to transference and countertransference-like phenomena in marital relationships.

This essay introduces the reader to some basic self psychological concepts that have useful applications to couples therapy. Two points are highlighted. First, the therapist must be constantly aware of the narcissistic vulnerability of each of the participants. Second, the working through of transference and countertransference-like experiences within the marital dyad is just as central to an understanding of the curative process in couples treatment as it is within the patient/therapist dyad in individual treatment.