The Process of Relationship Change in Participants in Two-session Contextual Couples Therapy

: A Qualitative Study Using Semi-structured Interviews

Abstract

　　When couples face difficulties in their relationships, third-party support is often essential. One such form of support is two-session contextual couples therapy. This study aimed to describe the process of change in couples’ relationships before, during, and after participation in contextual couples therapy. Interviews were conducted online with each partner in seven couples. The data obtained were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results indicated that before therapy, conversations between partners often reached an impasse. During therapy, partners were able to express their emotions and communicate in greater depth. After therapy, couples began to make efforts to improve their relationships and rebuild mutual trust. However, the existence of unresolved issues after therapy has also been reported, suggesting the need for ongoing support for couples.