ABSTRACT
The process of relational repair begins with identifying the relational rupture. Ruptures can be identi®ed by the recognition of a rupture marker ± some behaviour on the part of the client which the therapist notices and interprets as indicating a rupture (see Point 24). When ruptures occur, the client activates their protocol regarding their `response of self' ± a characteristic way of responding in anticipation of not having an underlying wish ful®lled, and the `response of other' ± the response the client expects from the projected, transferred Parent as part of their protocol. Safran and Muran (2003) identify two primary types of relational rupture markers: withdrawal and confrontation. The ultimate goal is for the client to express underlying repressed feelings ± usually feelings that were repressed and forbidden during childhood. Thus rupture and repair form a potent method of deconfusion involving the expression of repressed emotions and the gradual healing of the relational wounds associated with the repression. Unfortunately, the way the client responds to ruptures can actually subtly invite the expected `response of other' ± particularly so with confrontation markers which can invite a defensive or rejecting response in the therapist and thus con®rm for the client the need to protect their vulnerability with hostility (see Point 76). When withdrawal markers present the therapist needs to be attentive to any underlying repressed anger and hostility and subtly and sensitively invite its expression. With confrontation markers the aim is to invite the expression of any repressed feelings of vulnerability and hurt that lie underneath the overt hostility. Safran and Muran (2003) offer two different processes, one for each type of relational rupture. I have adapted their model here and synthesized the two processes into one. Please note that this is not a linear process with easily identi®able stages, but an overlapping and often cyclical process whereby different parts may be worked on
it is than two have any underlying feeling. The ones presented here are, however, common markers and common repressed feelings.
