ABSTRACT
Fred and Beth1 consult me for chronic marital unhappiness, having been referred by Beth’s psychiatrist. They are intelligent people, tastefully dressed, he more casually than she. Fred is an industrial engineer and Beth an architect. They are in their mid-30s, with three young children who they say are doing fine. They have been unhappy for much of their 10-year marriage, especially since the children were born. They have intermittent verbal battles that end with both of them feeling worse about each other, themselves, and their marriage. They have few good times together and their sex life, which has been an on-and-off problem throughout their relationship, is now nearly nonexistent. Both feel guilty, hopeless, confused, and frustrated. Beth has been thinking about divorce.
