Implications of Couple Therapy Profession on Therapists’ Spousal Relations

The profession of psychotherapy is included in those occupations that are presumed to have a bi-directional “spillage” on the professional's personal Life. Theorizing that experiences and behaviors from people's occupations will affect behavior in life outside work, and the reverse, thirteen marriage and family therapists (MFTs) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Responses were examined by analysis of qualitative content. The findings suggest that there is a gap between the ability of the therapist to use professional skills in the treatment room and his or her ability to implement that knowledge in his/her own marriage. Additional findings are described, as are limitations of the study.