‘Bringing Torn Lives Together Again’: Effects of the First Congruence Couple Therapy Training Application to Clients in Pathological Gambling

Abstract

Counsellors (N=21) receiving their first training in Congruence Couple Therapy (CCT) applied CCT to 1–2 pathological gamblers (N=24) and their spouses conjointly at their Ontario treatment settings. Gamblers' and spouses' pre–post quantitative results indicated statistically significant reduction of gambling urges and behaviours and improvement in spousal relationship. However, contrary to hypothesis, spouses experienced a significant decrease in overall life satisfaction, specifically in the area of regrets, from pre-to post-treatment. Ratings of CCT by clients and counsellors indicated high satisfaction of CCT's effectiveness. Qualitative data based on client and counsellor sources substantiated quantitative findings and further revealed clinical changes in four key dimensions addressed by CCT: intrapsychic, interpersonal, intergenerational and universal–spiritual. Quantitative results are limited by absence of a control group and low sample size, but are compensated by a solid base of qualitative findings. Mixed methods yielded promising preliminary results of CCT's effectiveness in gambling behaviour and symptom reduction and in improved spousal relationship.