In our couples counseling session, Jackie complained that during a fight, Will threatened to leave the relationship. Threats can occur when a couple escalates. Threats are attacks designed to hurt a partner but undermine the stability of a relationship.

Threatening divorce or ending a relationship must be unacceptable in a relationship in the same way physical aggressiveness is unacceptable. Individuals have the option to discontinue a relationship, but this needs to be in the form of a discussion rather than used as an attack. Threats to end relationships create mistrust and weaken the security of a relationship.