Document Detail


Facilitated disclosure versus clinical accommodation of infidelity secrets: an early pivot point in couple therapy. Part 1: couple relationship ethics, pragmatics, and attachment.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19161588     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A critical and potentially polarizing decision in treating infidelity is whether facilitating partner disclosure or accommodating nondisclosure is most beneficial following private disclosure of infidelity to the therapist. Given couple distress and volatility following disclosure, understandably some therapists judge accommodating an infidelity secret both efficient and compassionate. Employing Western ethics and an attachment/intimacy lens, we consider ethical, pragmatic, and attachment intimacy implications of accommodating infidelity secrets. Issues bearing on the decision to facilitate disclosure or accommodate nondisclosure include (a) relationship ethics and pragmatics; (b) attachment and intimacy consequences; and (c) prospects for healing. We conclude that facilitating voluntary disclosure of infidelity, although difficult and demanding, represents the most ethical action with the best prospects for renewed and vital attachment intimacy.
Authors:
Mark H Butler; James M Harper; Ryan B Seedall
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of marital and family therapy     Volume:  35     ISSN:  0194-472X     ISO Abbreviation:  J Marital Fam Ther     Publication Date:  2009 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-01-23     Completed Date:  2009-04-16     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7904614     Medline TA:  J Marital Fam Ther     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  125-43     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Family Life, Marriage and Family Therapy, 262 TLRB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. Mark.Butler@BYU.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Attitude of Health Personnel
Confidentiality / ethics*
Couples Therapy / ethics*
Duty to Warn / ethics
Extramarital Relations / ethics*
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Marriage / psychology
Professional-Patient Relations / ethics*
Spouses / psychology
Truth Disclosure / ethics*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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