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Emotionally focused therapists' experiences serving interabled couples in couple therapy: An interpretative
Jose L Tapia-Fuselier1, Dee C Ray2, Robert Allan3
1Department of Counseling and Human Services, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
|May 13, 2022
Summary
This study explored how therapists experienced working with interabled couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Findings highlight the impact of ableism and the therapist's self, suggesting a need for disability-responsive practices in EFT.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Couple Therapy
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Interabled couples, defined as a couple with one disabled and one nondisabled partner, navigate complex care systems.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is recognized for reducing relationship distress and enhancing relationship security.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the lived experiences of EFT therapists working with interabled couples.
- To understand how therapists make sense of their work with this specific population.
Main Methods:
- Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was employed.
- The study involved 10 EFT therapists who had experience with interabled couples.
Main Results:
- Four major themes emerged: ableism, self-of-the-therapist, relationship dynamics in interabled couples, and the suitability of the EFT approach.
- Therapists' experiences were significantly influenced by societal ableism and their own self-awareness.
Conclusions:
- There is a need to develop and identify disability-responsive practices within EFT for interabled couples.
- Further research is needed to refine therapeutic approaches for interabled couples.
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