ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the nature, cause, course, and treatment of demand-withdraw. Demand-withdraw are a uniquely ineffective pattern, in part because each partner's behavior exacerbates the other, causing the two partners to become increasingly different in their resolution processes and progressively emotionally distant from one another. Therapists can rely on observation plus informal and formal assessment to determine the extent to which demand-withdraw is problematic for couples. Simply observing the verbal and nonverbal behavioral cues of couples as they discuss problems can be the first indication. Traditional behavioural therapy (TBCT) is based on social exchange theory and social learning theory. In integrative behavioural couple’s therapy, the assumption is that all couples will experience incompatibilities, and therefore the change-focused behavioral interventions in TBCT are combined with acceptance promoting strategies. IBCT emphasizes nondirective and contingency-shaped changes through empathic joining, unified detachment, and building tolerance.
