Dr. David Schnarch and Crucible Therapy
When Dr. David Schnarch created the Crucible Approach and was a leader in combining sexual and marital therapy. Instead of focusing on communication and solving conflicts, he emphasized differentiation: the ability to be true to yourself while staying connected to your partner.
Schnarch pushed couples to face problems directly during therapy sessions. He believed growth comes from dealing with discomfort, not avoiding it. His ideas about sexual development were also groundbreaking. While most experts thought sexual peak happened when people were younger, Schnarch argued that people could have their best sexual experiences in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.
David Schnarch’s Books
Constructing the Sexual Crucible (1991) (difficult to read)
Living at the Bottom of the Ocean (2024) (Free PDF, start here)
Crucible Therapy Training
Dr. Schnarch trained therapists in his Crucible Approach from 1995 until his death in 2020. Today, the International Crucible Therapy Education Center continues his work with online and in-person training events.
Crucible training has helped me become a much more capable therapist, a better husband, and a better father. I have attended a lot of therapist training events, and Crucible training is different: The focus is on personal growth and development, not on learning skills, theory, or methedology. Crucible training is about becoming.
If you are looking for a Crucible-Trained therapist, or are a clinician interested in pursuing training, feel free to reach out to me for more information.
