Goals of Stage 1: - To begin to make hypotheses as to the particular vulnerabilities and attachment issues underlying each partner’s position in the relationship - To track and describe the typical recurring sequences of interactions that perpetuate this couple’s distress, and crystallize each partner’s position in that interaction. - To begin to understand how the present relationship evolved and what prompted the couple to seek therapy. To hear and make sense of the couple’s story of their relationship. - To begin to hypothesize as to the blocks to secure attachment and emotional engagement within and between partners and to explore these. Are they both wanting the same kind of relationship? Are they both committed to the relationship? - To sense how this couple responds to interventions and how easy or difficult the process of therapy is going to be. Do they each take some responsibility for the problems in the relationship? How open and willing are they to take risks in the session? The level of rigidity in the enactment of positions and the reactivity of responses are noted. - To note the strengths of the partners and the positive elements in the relationship. Enactments during stage 1 are usually about naming the cycle and softening it. Primary emotions are made explicit, but they are still fragile. Related Notes: - [[Stages and steps of EFT]]