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Therapy with Unmarried Heterosexual Couples: Clinical and Ethical Issues

Susan Bennett

Carolyn Clansy

Barb Heine

Gordon J. Horn

John Klocek

Christine Rankin

Patrick Richardson

Theresa Tschannen

Lydia Williams

Tom Williams

Saint Louis University

Unmarried heterosexual couples are increasingly presenting for conjoint therapy. Although these couples share many problems with maried heterosexual couples, such as communication andfamily of origin issues, cohabitation often raises a distinctive set of issues. These dimensions involve the meaning of living together, the relationship's future, the presence of children, and interactions with extended family. Three case examples illustrate therapeutic dilemmas arising with unmarried couples. Treatment approaches include family of origin, feminist, and structural interventions. Conflicts may also arisefrom the absence of legal recognitionfor many cohabiting relationships.

The Family Journal, Vol. 5, No. 4, 295-302 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/1066480797054003


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