Embodiment and reflective practices: conjoint therapy for psychological intimate partner violence

The idea of meta-dialogue has evolved over the past twenty years. The study reported here focuses on meta-dialogue, analysing the importance of reflective practices for thoughtfulness and embodiment in couple therapy for psychological Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). The study also sought to determine whether, in a case of psychological IPV, reflective practices helped the couple to acquire a new, shared understanding of violence. The results showed that the use of both meta-dialogue and of a reflective team was related to clients' use of the reflexive mode. Moreover, embodiment could be understood as a precursor of reflectivity and reflective practices. Finally, the results indicated that it was possible to discuss the issue of violence through the use of meta-dialogue, and that, through the therapists' reflective dialogue, the clients were able to reflect on their own relational patterns. The importance of meta-dialogue and embodiment for conjoint therapy in psychological IPV is discussed. Practitioner points: Meta-dialogue is present in therapy as: (a) reflective practices (therapists' strategies to promote a reflective stance); and (b) reflectivity (i.e. action of reflecting) Consider the importance of therapist sensitivity to embodiment in conjoint therapy for IPV in helping to reflect on what is happening in therapy, thus promoting use of meta-dialogue.