This article discusses the Stage Climbing model, a cognitive behavioral therapy based system designed to identify the beliefs and attitudes typical of different developmental life stages that may explain or identify obstacles to resolving present day relationship issues. We suggest that self-defeating beliefs and behaviors characteristic of dysfunctional couples give evidence of one or both partners operating from a stage of development or level of maturity in that aspect of the relationship that is different from what would be optimal given their presenting issues and therapeutic goals.
