Expectations About Couple Therapy: A Qualitative Investigation

Keywords

couple therapy, client expectations, therapy process

Abstract

Little is known about clients’ expectations about couple therapy. The present study provides the qualitative results of a mixed-methods investigation into client expectations about couple therapy. Participants were 20 individuals from 10 couples enrolled in couple therapy. Participants were interviewed with their partner prior to the first session of couple therapy using a semi-structured interview. Results of the qualitative content analysis of interview data indicated that couple members formed pre-therapy expectations about their therapist, the therapy process, therapy topics, partner behavior, and therapy outcomes. Expectations were fairly consistent across couples, with some diversity in expectations specific to couples’ presenting problems.

Original Publication Citation

Tambling, R.B., Wong, A.G. & Anderson, S.R. (2014). Expectations about couple therapy: A qualitative investigation. American Journal of Family Therapy.42, 29-41. DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2012.747944.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2013-12-23

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5304

Publisher

The American Journal of Family Therapy

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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