Turning Point Therapy

DIFFERENTIATION

The concept of differentiation is central to the work I do with couples. Here are a couple of definitions:

Differentiation is the active, ongoing process of defining self, revealing self, clarifying boundaries, and managing the anxiety that comes from risking either greater intimacy or potential separation.

Murray Bowen defined differentiation as the degree of resilience to the interpersonal contagion of anxiety.

This article discusses why we need to develop skills for differentiation, and some of the ways couples can do this.

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