family psychotherapy: triangulation

Triangulation refers to the expansion of conflict-ridden, dyadic relationship in order to include a third person (child, therapist, etc), which results either in a "covering-up" or a "defusing" of the content.*

Also: perverse triangle

Books and Other Media:
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The Best Years of Our Lives Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell 1946

Billy Elliot Stephen Daldry, Julie Walters, Jamie Bell, and Jamie Draven 2000

Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi Oshri Cohen, Arieh Elias, Esti Zakheim, and Aya Steinovitz 2004

The Dreamers Michael Pitt, Louis Garrel, Eva Green, and Anna Chancellor 2003

Guerin, Philip J., Jr. et al Working with Relationship Triangles (Hardcover)

Mask Cher, Eric Stoltz, Sam Elliott, and Estelle Getty 1985

Metallica - Some Kind of Monster 2004
Nine Lives (Samantha) Elpidia Carillo, Aomawa Baker 2004
Only the Lonely John Candy, Maureen O'Hara, Ally Sheedy, and Kevin Dunn 1991

Panic John Ritter, William Macy, Neve Campbell, Tracy Ullman, Donald Sutherland 2000

Sweet Bird of Youth Paul Newman, Geraldine Page, Shirley Knight, and Ed Begley 1962

*Extracted with permission from Simon, Fritz et al Language of Family Therapy - A Systemic Vocabulary and Source Book (Family Process Press Series) Paperback 1985 Family Process, Inc.