The Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy on Reducing the Fear of Intimacy in Couples

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of narrative therapy on reducing the fear of intimacy in couples.  Methods: To achieve this purpose, the present research opted for a quasi-experimental study, including pre-test and post-test with a control group. The study population included couples seeking improvement in their relationships who attended Delphi Clinic, a center for counseling and psychological services in Tehran City, Iran. The study sample consisted of 12 couples (24 individuals) who had achieved the highest scores compared to the mean scores in the Fear of Intimacy Scale (FIS). Sampling was carried out through a purposive sampling method, and the members were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (each containing 6 couples). Having performed the pre-test and completed the FIS, the experimental group participated in the two-hour sessions of narrative therapy for 14 weeks, and the control group was put on the waiting list. At the end of the sessions, all 12 couples responded to the FIS again as the post-test.  Results: The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance. According to the obtained results, 75% of the differences observed in the scores of the post-test FIS were caused by the effect of narrative therapy intervention. Therefore, with a 99% confidence, narrative therapy can reduce the fear of intimacy in couples when compared to the control group. Conclusion: In summary, couple narrative therapy can reduce the fear of intimacy by constructing new meanings in couples’ lives.