Napier believes that therapists can use their own personal experiences to connect with clients and that their frank feedback within the session can stimulate change, even with couples entrenched in disabling conflict.
In this video, Napier works with one such couple, Bill and Pat. Bill’s recent heart attack has sent this couple into crisis mode—Bill doesn’t want Pat involved with his health, which triggers Pat’s deep-seated rage to boil over, leading Bill to shut down, which in turn further infuriates Pat. Napier provocatively warns them that this spiral may result in Bill having another heart attack, thereby solving both their problems. He highlights the behaviors that they each need to change, then secures a commitment from them both to begin regular couples therapy in order to end the dangerous cycle.
