Couples’ perspectives in Congruence Couple Therapy and Treatment as Usual: a service-user engagement study
Date
2021
Authors
Shi, Yanjun
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
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Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education
Abstract
Couple therapy in addiction treatment is not a widely available service, despite relatively strong evidence for its efficacy. This study solicited service users’ perspectives on their experience of Congruence Couple Therapy (CCT) or individual-based Treatment as Usual (TAU) for alcohol use disorder and/or gambling disorder in a randomized trial. Twenty participants were interviewed on the benefits and limitations of CCT and TAU based on their lived experiences with addiction, treatment, and change in a couple context. Eight other service users were engaged in the research process as advisors who provided input on developing the interview protocol and gave feedback to the findings. The findings highlighted the service users’ preferences and values regarding couple therapy in addiction treatment compared to individual-based treatment, which could help inform service providers to address the current gap of couple therapy in our addiction and mental health services.
Description
Keywords
couple therapy in addiction treatment , service-user perspectives , service-user engagement