Co-Creating Reality: Acquiring Mutual Validation Skills in Couple Therapy Using Theatre Improvisation
Daniel J. Wiener, Macdara MacColl

Abstract
In Part I, two dissimilar definitions of mutual validation (MV) in the marriage and family therapy literature, one used by Cognitive-Behaviorists and the other used by therapists informed by a Social Constructivist paradigm, are first explicated and contrasted. Next, a contemporary position challenging the desirability of MV in healthy relationships is set forth. Research supporting the rationale underlying the social constructivist position on MV and its greater utility in predicting couple satisfaction is then reviewed. In Part II, the practical contributions of Rehearsals for Growth, a social constructivist-based approach that uses theatre improvisation in couple therapy to teach and enhance MV skills are described.

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