Talk It Out!

Marriage And Beyond

oi-Staff

Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 11:39

Estranged couples who choose to undertake client-directed feedback in their marriage counseling sessions have greater chances of sustaining their relationship. The reason for conflicts usually range from communication problems to infidelity and physical or psychological issues.

205 randomly selected partners from Southern Norway were studied for two years (2005-2007) and the therapy for the clients was altered in order to help open lines of communication between the clients and therapists. However, half of the couples in the study used the client feedback system, while the other half did not.

Six months later, it was noted that couples using the Outcome Rating Scale reported feeling more satisfied in their relationships. The study, co-authored by University of Rhode Island, Professor Jacqueline Sparks, Human Development and Family Studies, concluded that successful therapy totally depends on client engagement.

Clients who believe that they are responsible for change result in a better relationship that lasts longer. In some therapies, the clients become passive and wait for the therapist to come up with the 'magic bullet'. If their relationship get better they feel it was because of the therapist.

Such situations often lead to dependency. The couples refuse to identify their own role and become reluctant to end their treatment. After therapy they lose ground and return to the point they started from.