Facilitated disclosure versus clinical accommodation of infidelity secrets: an early pivot point in couple therapy. Part 1: couple relationship ethics, pragmatics, and attachment.
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.
Butler
Mark H
MH
School of Family Life, Marriage and Family Therapy, 262 TLRB, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602, USA. Mark.Butler@BYU.edu
Harper
James M
JM
Seedall
Ryan B
RB
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000941:ethics*; D019546:Couples Therapy / Q000941:ethics*; D017007:Duty to Warn / Q000941:ethics; D005114:Extramarital Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*