Couples Therapy and Empathy

Schmidt, Christopher D.; Gelhert, Nathan C.

doi:10.1177/1066480716678621

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…They found that ketamine, similar to MDMA, lowered defenses, allowed couples to open up for dialogue, promoted trust, and assisted couples in becoming less fearful and more vulnerable. These initial findings confirmed that ketamine could be useful in the context of IRT by allowing couples to become more at ease in dialoguing about both the challenging and the positive aspects of their relationship, (Schmidt & Gelhert, 2017). Ketamine fostered a sense of empathy both for oneself as well as for one's partner, creating optimal conditions to engage in deep discussion around both partners' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (Dore et al, 2019;Mathai, Mora, & Garcia-Romeu, 2022).…”

Section: Ketamine Use In Imago Relationship Therapymentioning

confidence: 65%

Exploring effects and experiences of ketamine in group couples therapy

Cornfield,

McBride,

La Torre

et al. 2024

JPS

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BackgroundThis study contributes to the understanding of the efficacy, safety, and experience of ketamine-assisted therapy. The paper documents how individuals describe the effects of a protocolized and personalized use of ketamine (‘the relational dose’) in the context of group couples therapy based on Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT). Little is known about simultaneously administering ketamine to both members of a couple in this context, and no research to date has been published on whether ketamine facilitates couples to better engage in and benefit from the therapeutic process. The paper includes both qualitative and quantitative results.MethodThe study utilized a mixed methods approach. One approach was an inductive content analysis that produced overarching themes gleaned from participants' check-ins pre and post their weekly ketamine sessions. Transcripts were examined to better understand ketamine's effects on couples' ability to engage in therapeutic dialogue and resolve challenging relationship issues, as well as themes related to the non-ordinary-state-of-consciousness (NOSC) experience. The second approach involved the analysis of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up data from the Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI).ResultsThe couples described a wide range of effects that ketamine produced in the context of their relational dialoguing including: empathogenic effects, mystical/spiritual/psychedelic experiences, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. They also affirmed ketamine's ability to generate alternative perspectives, promote insight, heighten awareness, enhance vulnerability and communication, lower defenses, and produce novel somatic experiences. Participants' description of ketamine effects included its short duration, rapid onset, idiosyncratic sensitivity to dose, cumulative effects, as well as transient and mild side-effects. Several t-tests were statistically significant, and indicated improved relationship satisfaction following the treatment.ConclusionIn the context of couples therapy, ketamine produced a wide range of therapeutic effects and possessed unique pharmacological properties as a rapid-acting novel psychoactive molecule. The drug may have profound therapeutic benefits when administered in the context of couples therapy, under clinical supervision, however more research should be carried out.

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Section: Ketamine Use In Imago Relationship Therapymentioning

confidence: 65%

Exploring effects and experiences of ketamine in group couples therapy

Cornfield,

McBride,

La Torre

et al. 2024

JPS

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“…Empathy and empathic communication are essential elements of successful relationships. Therefore, a focus on empathy in couple counselling could increase marital satisfaction (Schmidt & Gelhert 2017:27). Further research is required to determine the ways in which the mental health of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness can be improved.…”

Section: The Implication For Clinical Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness

et al. 2019

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BackgroundA partner with mental illness can be challenging in a couple’s relationship. Mental illness brings about disintegration in the relationship because the partner without mental illness takes on more responsibilities than before. The partner without mental illness can be subjected to multiple risks, including stress and burden of care. The lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness is an under-researched area of mental health.ObjectivesTo explore and describe the lived experiences of couples in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness.MethodA qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual research design was utilised. A purposive sampling method was used to sample participants for this study. Five couples, where one partner was diagnosed with a mental illness, participated in the study. Ten in-depth, individual, phenomenological interviews were conducted to provide rich descriptions of the couples’ experiences. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. An independent coder assisted with the data analysis. A consensus discussion was held between the independent coder and the interviewing researcher to agree on the identified themes.ResultsFour themes with categories emerged from the data analysis: couples experienced changed social roles in their relationship, emotional upheaval was experienced by the individual partners in the couple relationship, interpersonal distance was experienced in the couple’s relationship and a changed relationship with the self was experienced by the individual partners in the couple relationship.ConclusionThe results concluded that couples experienced that the presence of mental illness in their relationship adversely affects the relationship, thus emphasising the need to empower the couples dealing with challenges of being in a relationship where one partner is diagnosed with a mental illness.

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