MARITAL-THERAPY WITH COUPLES WHOSE LACK OF SELF-SUSTAINING FUNCTION THREATENS THE MARRIAGE

In the hierarchy of internal structures that contribute to a complete, mature sense of self, certain psychic functions are essential. In particular, adults who can maintain a sense of intactness of the self can, by-in-large, provide the following five psychic functions for themselves: self-security, self-realness, self-esteem, self-love and identity. Dr. Dan Buie (1989) has described the lack of these five self-sustaining psychic functions in certain clients and the consequences for the therapist/patient relationship. This paper will summarize Buie's contribution to understanding clients who lack the ability to provide these self-sustaining functions, then apply this conceptual framework to the understanding of certain marital conflicts, discussing aspects of the therapeutic process and the therapist's role with respect to these marital conflicts.