Infidelity treatment from an integrative behavioral couple therapy perspective: Explanatory model and intervention strategies

Infidelity has a devastating effect on relationships and is a common reason for seeking couple therapy. However, few empirical studies have demonstrated effective models or strategies for treating this issue. An exception is integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT). Nevertheless, IBCT's specific contributions to this therapeutic problem have not been the main focus of any publication. This article briefly mentions the effects that infidelity has on intimate partner relationships and presents the empirical evidence for IBCT's utility in treating affairs. It places special focus on exploring infidelity using IBCT's explanatory model. The application of various IBCT strategies and techniques in infidelity cases is explained both in general and with concrete examples. Whether couple therapy in cases of infidelity should focus specifically on the affair or on a wider scope of issues is discussed, as well as new directions for infidelity research within an IBCT framework.