Couple Counselling outlines the essential principles and practices of couple counselling. Demystifying this form of therapy, the author provides a step-by-step guide from the first meeting through to subsequent sessions. The book includes a wealth of supporting features including case examples, student exercises, points for reflection and memory-jog pages to use in practice. As well as chapters illustrating counselling for problems frequently experienced by couples, such as sexual difficulties, infidelity, violence and abuse, key content includes:This book comprises a sound basis for one-to-one practitioners wishing to expand their expertise and practice of therapy into working with couples, and for students training in this mode of counselling.

Infidelity

Infidelity

In this chapter, I define infidelity, one of the most frequent issues brought to couple counselling and one of the most distressing. I discuss how the counsellor might acknowledge the pain and confusion felt by the ‘betrayed’ partner, yet maintain a non-judgemental stance towards the partner who has strayed outside the couple relationship. The issue of forgiveness is addressed in some detail, illustrated by a description of practice.

Definitions

‘Infidelity’ is usually taken to mean sexual intercourse with someone outside a committed relationship. I have counselled many individuals who have discovered their partner to be unfaithful in this sense, and who are in emotional turmoil as a result; also individuals who, rather to their surprise, are feeling relieved at the revelation, having recognized for some time ...

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