| Summary: | The author suggests a new technique of psychotherapeutic work with couples who doubt whether they should stay together or who have already decided on a divorce. The name of the technique is Way Forward from the Crossroads.
The methodological basis of this work is the philosophy of Martin Buber whose main focus is the fundamental situation of human existence "I and Other", within which two types of relationships are distinguished: I-You and I-It. Another methodological basis of this technique is metaphor of the mirror, or the perception of oneself as Other. According to the model of psyche by Pyotr Anokhin, feedback affects decisions. In the proposed technique, a mirror and a dialogue with the partner provide such important feedback. Data from experiments with mirror reflection are presented.
The article describes in detail the basics of the technique and its application. The key parts of the technique are eye contact with one's reflection in the mirror, eye contact with the partner, and the verbalization of expectations. The latter comes in a specially structured format. It is an opportunity to look each other in the eye, to complete one stage of the relationship and start a new one.
The Way Forward from the Crossroads technique is a structured, step-by-step guide to experience an authentic Meeting and move on to the I-You relationship as conceptualized by Buber. Each one of the partners can explore the declared attitude towards oneself and experience the contact with oneself as Other. Way Forward from the Crossroads is also an opportunity to experience an existential loneliness and transcend to the essential contact with the partner. This happens even in cases where such contact is almost completely lost. In most cases, partners especially value the opportunity to verbalize their doubts, fears, and hopes that are hidden deeper beneath the couple's everyday conversations.
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