The Experience of Being Partnered With a Couples Therapist: A Qualitative Inquiry
| dc.contributor.author | Miller, Christine Marie | en |
| dc.contributor.committeechair | Jackson, Jeffrey B. | en |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Cunanan, Elnora D. | en |
| dc.contributor.committeemember | Landers, Ashley L. | en |
| dc.contributor.department | Adult Learning and Human Resource Development | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2018-06-22T08:01:15Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2018-06-22T08:01:15Z | en |
| dc.date.issued | 2018-06-21 | en |
| dc.description.abstract | This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experience of being in a romantic relationship with a couples therapist. Fourteen spouses participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology and themes were identified through meaning units. A majority of spouses experienced ambiguity on whether aspects of their couple relationship were influenced by their therapist partner’s profession or their therapist partner’s personality. Aspects of the therapist partner’s career did spillover into the couple’s relationship, such as limited time spent together, finances, confidentiality, and their therapist partner’s relationship expertise. Spouses talked about the benefits of their therapist partner’s expertise to their couple relationship, such as their therapist partner’s advice and relational skills. At the same time that spouses wanted their therapist partner’s expertise to be present in the couple relationship, spouses also did not want their therapist partner to be their therapist. Nevertheless, spouses felt pride and protectiveness of their therapist partner’s profession. Spouses helped their therapist partner by supporting, listening, and encouraging their partner’s profession. Clinical implications and directions of future research were addressed. | en |
| dc.description.abstractgeneral | The purpose of this research study was to get a better understanding of the experience of being in a romantic relationship with a couples therapist. A majority of spouses experienced ambiguity on whether aspects of their couple relationship were influenced by their therapist partner’s profession or their therapist partner’s personality. Spouses of couples therapists talked about challenges and benefits that were present in their relationship due to their therapist partner’s profession, such as limited time spent together, finances, confidentiality, and their therapist partner’s relationship expertise. Spouses talked about the benefits of their therapist partner’s expertise to their couple relationship, such as their therapist partner’s advice and relational skills. Despite any challenges, spouses felt pride and protectiveness of their therapist partner’s profession. Spouses helped their therapist partner by supporting, listening, and encouraging their partner’s profession. The results of this research study provide recommendations that can be used by clinical professionals and marriage and family therapy graduate programs to help minimize challenges in the couples therapist’s partner relationship. | en |
| dc.description.degree | Master of Science | en |
| dc.format.medium | ETD | en |
| dc.identifier.other | vt_gsexam:15868 | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/83611 | en |
| dc.publisher | Virginia Tech | en |
| dc.rights | In Copyright | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | en |
| dc.subject | couples therapists | en |
| dc.subject | spouses | en |
| dc.subject | work-family spillover | en |
| dc.title | The Experience of Being Partnered With a Couples Therapist: A Qualitative Inquiry | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Human Development | en |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | en |
| thesis.degree.level | masters | en |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science | en |