title: Heightening in couple therapy.
abstract: Across couple therapeutic modalities, heightening interventions have been proposed as a mechanism of change. The current article describes how behavioral and emotion-focused heightening techniques can be facilitated in couple therapy. We provide actual case examples of psychotherapist interventions aimed at heightening couples' relational or emotional interaction. Ultimately, heightening encourages couples to confront difficult topics together, express vulnerable emotions, and make new meaning of the lived experiences that might be interfering with the quality of their relationship.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Counseling, and College Student Personnel, University of Louisville.
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Counseling, and College Student Personnel, University of Louisville.
authors.forename: Kelley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Quirk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003142:Communication; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004644:Emotions; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017008:Negotiating / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D009769:Object Attachment; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes