How does the sequence of change in couple therapy differ from that in individual psychotherapy?

In couple therapy, change can be initiated at any level of psychosocial organization, often beginning with interactional changes rather than requiring self-understanding first. This contrasts with individual psychotherapy, where insight and self-understanding are typically prerequisites for behavior change.

Couple therapy differs from individual psychotherapy in its approach to the sequence of change. While individual therapy generally assumes that self-understanding must precede behavior change, couple therapy often seeks initial changes at the interactional level. This multidirectional approach allows for change to be initiated in various domains, emphasizing the importance of the couple's interactions over individual insights.