Attempting Reconciliation with Cross-Examination in Couple Therapy

Abstract

Many traps and conflicts can be encountered by the therapist trying to facilitate communication and to promote agreement between couples or between an angry teenager and his/her parent. The cross-examination technique is a useful tool in such situations. It involves humour but it is also confrontational, it shifts the burden of initiating and continuation of the dialog onto the parties involved, it teaches responsibility, respect and sensitivity to the other's points of view and, after exposing the “sore points”, it leaves the couple in a position to discuss possible solutions. Elements of other psychotherapeutic approaches (mirror technique, paradoxical intentions, empty chair technique, Ericksonian approach) are included as well. Elements of logic aimed at recognizing the fallacies and assumptions between the couple are also used.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.