What approach would likely be used to explore a spouse's negative emotional responses in therapy?

The approach that would likely be used to explore a spouse's negative emotional responses in therapy is emotion-focused techniques. This method specifically aims to identify, process, and understand emotions, which is crucial when dealing with negative emotional responses. Emotion-focused therapy emphasizes the significance of emotions in human experience and interpersonal relationships. It helps individuals articulate their feelings, recognize the underlying causes of these emotions, and explore the dynamics of their emotional experiences within the context of their relationships.

While structured behavioral exercises and solution-building methods may address certain aspects of relationships, they primarily focus on behaviors or solutions rather than the emotional experiences themselves. Similarly, stream-of-consciousness techniques typically aim to access thoughts in a free-flowing manner, which can be less structured in exploring emotional responses and may not directly address the underlying emotional issues as effectively as emotion-focused techniques do. By utilizing emotion-focused strategies, therapists can help spouses work through their feelings and promote healthier emotional expression and connection.