The test of an individual's growth is his capacity to relate effectively and intimately to significant others. A challenge in adult life is to achieve a marriage that contains creative communication. It is necessary for an individual to be intact as a person in order for him to develop a capacity to relate empathically and knowingly with a mate. If this relating is mutual, a synergism of gratifying stimulation to each is the outcome. The psychiatrist's activity in conjoint therapy is to facilitate empathic communication and to assist with the working through of regressive, defensive investments within the marital relationship.Abstract Teaser