An Integrative Intervention for Promoting Recovery From Extramarital Affairs

Abstract

The discovery or disclosure of an extramarital affair can have a devastating impact on partners, both individually and on the relationships. Research suggests that affairs occur relatively frequently in relationships and are a common presenting problem in couple therapy. However, despite their prevalence, there is little empirical treatment research in this area, and most therapists describe this problem as one of the more difficult to treat. In this study, we used a replicated case-study design to explore the efficacy of an integrative treatment designed to help couples recover from an affair. Six couples entered and completed treatment. The majority of these couples were less emotionally or maritally distressed at the end of treatment, and the injured partners reported greater forgiveness regarding the affair. Details of the intervention, suggested adaptations of the treatment, and areas for future research are discussed.

“The relationship past can't be the future”: couple counsellors' experiences of working with infidelity

“…Snyder, Baucom & Gordon, 2008;Baucom et al, 2006). However, most of these clinical guidelines are not grounded in empirical research but based on clinical experience (Olson et al, 2002), and only two recent small-sample studies have looked into the efficacy of couple therapy treatment programmes for infidelity, providing first indicators that these programmes can be effective (Atkins, Eldridge, Baucom & Christensen, 2005;Gordon, Baucom & Snyder, 2004).…”

Recovery From Infidelity: Exploring Variables Related to the Healing Process

“…Despite the fact that these clinicians have created these models based on their clinical experiences through their work with couples, the efficacy of these interventions have only been explored using case-study designs. Aside from Gordon, Baucom and Snyder's (2004) treatment approach, where they integrated both the literature on traumatic response and interpersonal forgiveness in their conceptualization of treatment, these approaches do not appear to be well grounded in empirical research.…”

“…They also found that using forgiveness type interventions are clinically useful in that they help to reduce hostility and anger, increase empathy, and increase positive feelings for individuals that are coping with an interpersonal conflict. Additionally, Gordon, Baucom and Snyder's (2004) forgiveness model has been examined through a replicated case study Snyder et al, 2004). Gordon, Baucom, and Snyder examined six couples that entered and completed treatment that was designed to aid couples in their recovery from an affair.…”

“…The most frequently cited and used intervention approaches include models created by DiBlasio (2000), Halford and Markman (1997), Lusterman (1998), Spring (1996), and the most commonly used intervention approach was developed by Gordon and Baucom (2004). Lusterman (1998) created a "survival guide" for couples dealing with infidelity and developed a three-stage model to recovery based on restoring trust, reviewing the marriage, and creating a better marriage.…”

“…Therefore, the conceptualization of infidelity as an interpersonal trauma is based on the similarities between responses to the discovery of infidelity and responses to trauma in general (Gordon, Baucom, & Snyder, 2005). For example, many therapists have suggested that infidelity may result in symptoms comparable to those found in posttraumatic stress disorder including intense anger, feelings of shame, intrusive painful memories, depression, powerlessness, abandonment, victimization, persistent increased arousal, or avoidance and emotional numbing (Glass & Wright, 1997;Gordon et al, 2004). Furthermore, many treatment approaches for infidelity conceptualize recovery from an affair as analogous to recovery from an interpersonal trauma (see Gordon & Baucom, 1999;Gordon et al, 2004;Gordon et al, 2005;Snyder et al, 2004).…”