In this blog, Lou Lasprugato looks at how partners in conflict are often caught in competing yearnings rather than character flaws. He discusses how the therapists job is to name the vicious cycle that they are trapped in, slow it down, and channel the energy of those yearnings into values-directed behaviour.
Download building a flexible bridge blog
Building a flexible bridge – diagram
Using Lou’s blog we have worked this concept into a diagram that visualises the process, showing the vicious cycle that couples can get into and the self-amplifying loop that emerges vs the flexible bridge and the reinforcing loop that this more positive experience provides. By slowing down and naming the cycle the therapist can disrupt the vicious cycle and move partners onto the flexible bridge.
Download building a flexible bridge diagram
LOU LASPRUGATO is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Integrative Psychotherapist with Sutter Health’s Institute for Health and Healing, and Peer-Reviewed Trainer in ACT with the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS). He is also the ACBS Training Committee Chair and a trainer for Contextual Consulting.
