Joint drawing interpersonal recall in insecurely attached couples

•Suggest the joint drawing interpersonal recall, as a research tool.•Investigate the subjective experiences of drawing together in insecure couples.•Emphasis two main wishes within insecure couples: togetherness versus separateness.

This research investigated the Joint Drawing Interpersonal Recall, in order to gain further understanding of the subjective experiences of insecure couples. Sixty couples underwent the joint-drawing task, completed the Adult Attachment Questionnaire, and took part in a process recalling the joint interaction. Interviews of eight of the couples, in which the female was classified as anxious and the male as avoidant, were submitted for content analysis. Qualitative analysis suggested 5 different themes: 1. A wish for togetherness, 2. A wish for separateness, 3. Issues of control, 4. Gaps between partners reactions, and 5. Detachment during Joint Drawing Interpersonal Recall. Implications for art therapy and for the utilization of a couple-recall process for assessment and intervention with couples will be discussed.