Helping Couples Work Toward the Forgiveness of Marital Infidelity: Therapists' Perspectives

Authors: Olmstead, Spencer¹; Blick, Ryan¹; Mills, Lilbourne¹

Source: American Journal of Family Therapy, Volume 37, Number 1, January 2009 , pp. 48-66(19)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how therapists treat infidelity and work toward forgiveness with couples presenting with extramarital involvement. Ten licensed marital and family therapists were interviewed. Major categories, themes, and subthemes were generated from open, axial, and selective coding analyses. Participating therapists described treating marital infidelity and incorporating forgiveness sequentially. Infidelity treatment included assessing family of origin and relationship history, and discussing mutual acceptance of responsibility. When working toward forgiveness, therapists described: (a) assessing client understanding, (b) psychoeducation, (c) clarification, (d) client languaging, and (e) time. Implications for research and treatment are discussed.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/01926180801960575

Affiliations: 1: Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

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