Taking a triangular perspective: coparenting and Gestalt therapy

Abstract

The aim of this article is to go beyond dyadic observational units to consider the parent-child relationship starting from a primary triad formed by parents and the child. This triad could be analyzed as an interactive matrix within the many possible combinations of new families (e.g. stepfamilies, childfree and LAT couples). In Gestalt therapy, the extension of this framework may promote an effective connection between research and clinical work: new units of observation could be processed through contact boundaries between parents with their children, as well as other family members