The book by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson “In Search of the Mythical Couple. An Evolutionary Approach to Diagnosis and Therapy for Couples” was written by two married psychotherapists practicing family therapy. A well-structured, specific, clear book with a sufficient number of client cases presented and various exercises. The appendix to the book contains handouts and questionnaires - everything you might need when working with couples. The book is about how the rather complex but fascinating process of couples psychotherapy occurs. About how important it is to be noticed and supported in the family system, how to learn to love and be loved, and what a difficult path couples have to go through in order to gain these abilities or let each other go. The concept or method that the authors developed originated from Margaret Mahler's object relations theory about the stages of child development and the role of separation and individuation in the child. The authors conditionally divided the life of a couple into four periods: symbiosis, differentiation, learning and establishing rapport. Of course, not all couples “survive” to the most harmonious period of interdependence. But, for sure, all couples begin their relationship with the stage of symbiosis, even if it has been passed in other relationships. The authors describe each period in detail and with examples. Moreover, they believe that in a couple, each partner may be at different stages of relationship development, but a gap of more than two phases makes therapy futile. The book clearly structures the material for each of the stages, as well as for different phase pairs. Methods for diagnosing phases, strategic directions for working with certain phases are described, and detailed examples from the life and therapy of clients are given. The authors invite readers to pay attention to the nuances of work and drawing up a contract for each of the couples, show possible critical and difficult moments in therapy, and share their ideas and reflections on how a therapist can act at certain moments of the psychotherapeutic process. So, Bader and Pearson offer readers four stages: symbiosis, differentiation, learning and rapport. In turn, the symbiosis stage is divided into two opposing relational processes. Symbiosis is designed to support the couple’s ability to be together and form some kind of attachment. Symbiotic-fused type - characterized by adaptability and a high level of passivity. The ability to understand and distinguish oneself only through the prism of the Other. Lack of individuality and independence. A certain absorption, dissolution of partners in each other. In such a merger, the couple tries not to conflict and not notice each other’s shortcomings, denying them. The hostile-dependent type is the same fusion, but supported exclusively by conflicts that hold the couple and this fusion together. Such relationships are competitive and tense. The inaccessibility of the Other is off the charts, but at the same time the hopes that this particular Other will “save” continue to exist. At the stage of symbiosis, therapy is aimed at supporting the process of separation of two. Next comes a period of differentiation. This stage sets itself the task of dividing “one whole” and turning the couple into two different people with their own interests and desires. At this stage, the conflict exists openly and clearly. Each partner wants to increase the distance between each other, have privacy and demonstrate their individuality. The differences become so obvious that it is quite difficult for a couple to accept. This is a period of loss of illusions and awareness of reality. The first bright, but much needed disappointment. At this stage, therapy can focus on living through difference, frustration, and respecting each other's differences. Having undergone development at the stage of differentiation, the pair reaches a period of training. It is due to the fact that partners stop focusing on relationships with each other and are ready to express themselves in the world around them. This is a time of careers and opportunities to take a certain place and status..