Behavioral-systems marital therapy: dealing with resistance.

Recently there has been a dramatic increase in attempts to integrate certain intervention components of behavioral and systems approaches with marital and family therapy. This paper elaborates on a previously described behavioral-systems approach by focusing primarily on the issue of resistance to therapeutic progress within the behavioral framework. First, potential reasons for major resistance phenomena are suggested. Then, in the context of a social learning theory model of assessment and intervention, specific clinical indications are discussed for departing from the basic behavioral approach in order to deal with resistance. Finally, a variety of interpretive and strategic intervention techniques are described and illustrated by clinical case materials.