People are sociable beings and thus tend to live together. In general, most people are happiest when living in close proximity to other people with whom they have a close bond. However, these relationships can frequently be marred by simple misunderstandings or basic lack of skills. In this chapter, we will be examining three different aspects and approaches to improving poor relationships. Much of the research in these mainly behavioural techniques was performed in the 1970s and 1980s and with married couples. There is no reason why the techniques should be restricted to such a group, however, and many can be extended beyond the marital relationship as well, of course, as being useful in same-sex couples. These three approaches are:

In recent years these simple behavioural interventions have tended to be overlooked in favour of more complex paradigms, such as those used in systemic therapy. A review of the literature in 1996 (Wesley & Waring) performed a meta-analysis examining the outcome of behavioural marital therapy, cognitively oriented marital therapy, emotionally focused marital therapy and insight-oriented marital therapy. The authors found good evidence for the efficacy of each of these four methods but were unable to demonstrate any clear advantage of one rather than any other and also found no evidence for particular problems responding preferentially to any one type of therapy. Behavioural interventions are simple to learn and effective and thus can be widely applied, often in combination with other treatments.