Contract therapy is proposed as a therapeutic procedure that can be utilized in the resolution of marital disharmony and family conflicts. The central thesis is that effective and efficient behavioral change may be brought about by explicit agreement of the members of a destructive marital dyad through the mediation of a third party negotiator. Central to this procedure is the assumption that persons are able and willing to change behavior in relationship when they perceive that the new behavior will obtain a new and better “deal.” Two typical negotiated contracts are presented: One with a three-member family and the other with a two-member family.
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