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This paper offers criteria for choosing the type of therapy for couples with marital difficulties.
1Individual therapy for each partner with a different therapist. This is indicated for immature persons whose marital problem is largely an expression of developmental difficulties; when one partner is psychotic; when one partner is content with the marriage as it is; when communication between partners is seriously impaired; and when the therapist is too inexperienced to deal with both partners.
2Therapy of both partners by a single therapist. The advantages are: distortions and acting out are diminished while affect and reality testing are increased. Transference of a rivalrous or Oedipal nature may be increased unbearably. This is most useful when each spouse recognizes that problems with partners are not the sole source of difficulties, and when communication between partners is adequate.
3Conjoint treatment. This method is indicated in cases where problems are ego-alien and acute and both partners are committed to therapy, or when mutual blame is of recent origin.
4Couples' group therapy. This form of treatment is recommended for couples with chronic ego-syntonic problems, when problems are a way of life (e.g., neurotics with fairly good premarital adjustments), or for people who do poorly outside as well as in marriage.