Police work affects police officers through organizational influences such as long and irregular work hours and on-call time; peer socialization influences, which include the ideas, attitudes, and values that develop in the police subculture; and the influences police roles such as enforcer, protector, and mediator. These influences all create stress and work in opposition to the goals of building an intimate relationship. The therapist's goal should be to connect with both partners in different ways without alienating either one and to enable them to emerge as a connected, well-functioning unit. Goals may include strengthening the boundary around the couple in relation to the boundary set by the police agency, reducing triangulation, increasing intimacy and bonding between the couple, increasing the positive feelings in the marriage, and motivating the couple for change. 12 references