Married to a Marriage Therapist: An Insider Perspective. Issue 5 (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Christine M.; Jackson, Jeffrey B.; Landers, Ashley L.
• Is Part Of: American journal of family therapy. Volume 48:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 385
• Page End: 404
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Work-family spillover -- marriage counseling -- couple counseling -- helping profession -- spouse; Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Family Therapy; Marital Therapy; Family; Counseling; 616.8915605
• DOI: 10.1080/01926187.2020.1750074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0192-6187

Abstract

Abstract: Semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 spouses of licensed practicing marriage therapists were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology. Participants described benefits that their spouse's expertise had on their marriage; however, participants did not want their spouse to treat them like a client. Aspects of the spouse's career that spilled over into the marriage included infringements on time spent together, financial issues, and the confidential nature of clinical work. Most participants were uncertain as to whether aspects of their marriage were more influenced by their spouse's profession or their spouse's personality. Participants were proud and protective of their spouse's clinical work.