THE PLAN FORMULATION METHOD FOR COUPLES: UMBERTO AND DANIELA, A CLINICAL EXAMPLIFICATION OF A PFMC BASED PSYCHOTHERAPY INTERVENTION.

Control Mastery Theory (CMT) is a cognitive-dynamic relational theory of psychological functioning and psychopathology (Weiss, 1993; Gazzillo, 2016). A central tenet of CMT is that human beings are guided by an unconscious plan to achieve adaptive goals, disprove their pathogenic beliefs by testing them with the therapist and master their traumas. Also couples try to pursue healthy goals, and the partners test each other to disconfirm the pathogenic beliefs that obstruct them (Zeitlin, 1991). If partners don’t pass their reciprocal tests, couples may develop relational vicious cycles impairing their adaptation and well-being. The Plan Formulation Method for Couples (Rodomonti M., Crisafulli V., Mazzoni S., Curtis, J., Gazzillo F., 2019), is a case-specific assessment procedure aimed at reliably formulating the couples’ plan. This contribution presents the case of Umberto and Daniela, a couple treated according to their PFMC. They looked for a couple psychotherapy because they often argued and were very frustrated and worried about the healthy development of their two years old child. Their therapy lasted 16 sessions. During the therapy, Umberto and Daniela, worked to understand the feelings and pathogenic beliefs that gave rise to their principal vicious relational circles. Daniela proposed mainly transference tests by non-compliance of her-self-hate and burdening guilty, expressed by her complaining, and Umberto’s reaction via angry outbursts or absolute compliance with all of Daniela’s requests, which was expression of his omnipotence and burdening guilty tested with transference tests both by compliance and by non-compliance. The therapist helped the couple also remain aware of the virtuous relational circles (resources) that enable them to feel safe in their relationship. At the end of the psychotherapy, Daniela and Umberto were arguing less, enjoyed more their ability to take care of their daughter and had new projects for the future of their family.