외도로 인한 이혼위기의 부부상담: 사례연구

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to explore the therapeutic processes of couples who experienced marital infidelity as well as factors that aid and pose challenges to the therapy by using a case study. Infidelity is a crisis with serious consequences for married couples. It is also a challenge for the counselors, requiring careful interventions and a high level of expertise. Yet, much of the therapeutic process has not been unveiled. Methods: The case used in this study was a married couple in their 40s at the risk of a divorce due to the husband's unfaithfulness. A total of eleven sessions of marital couple therapy were conducted. The therapy employed the Bowen family therapy, structural family therapy, and forgiveness as major theoretical frameworks. Results: Therapeutic interventions toward reconciliation, understanding, and forgiveness were examined. The study divided the entire therapy process into three stages, and suggested the struggles and dilemmas as well as facilitating factors—anger, distrust, motivation, acceptance, empathy, and forgiveness—experienced in each stage. Conclusions: Interventions and factors that facilitate healing are discussed. Clinical use and suggestions for practitioners and future researches are also discussed.