Towards a relational framework for pathological gambling (Part II): Congruence
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Date
2012
Authors
Lee, Bonnie K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing
Abstract
In an illustrative clinical case study, congruence is depicted as the fifth
circuit in a relational framework to extricate gambler and spouse from
pathological gambling and its after-effects. Congruence couple therapy
poses interventions in four dimensions of the couple experience: (i) intrapsychic;
(ii) interpersonal; (iii) intergenerational and (iv) universalspiritual.
Congruence is operationalized as awareness, attention,
acknowledgment and the alignment of the four dimensions. The philosophical
underpinnings of this concept-based model are laid out with
clinical vignettes. The couple reported improved relationship quality with
a reduction of gambling urges and maintained abstinence. The couple
relationship serves as leverage for both gambler and spouse to reconnect
with themselves, with each other, with their intrinsic worth and dignity
and with their family of origin experiences. As such, congruence couple
therapy goes beyond the level of the individual and intra-psychic to
reconstruct key family relationships in both past and present, and to
rebuild spiritual resources to fortify the couple’s capital for sustained
recovery.
Description
Sherpa Romeo yellow journal. Permission to archive accepted author manuscript.
Keywords
Pathological gambling , Relational framework , Systems recursion , Couple relationship , Congruence couple therapy
Citation
Lee, B.K. (2015). Towards a relational framework for pathological gambling (Part II): Congruence. Journal of Family Therapy, 37(1), 103-118. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6427.2012.00591.x