Phenomenology-Informed Counseling: Reflections on Emotional Safety and Emotional Initiative in Couple Counseling.

RECOGNITION (Psychology); EMPATHY; COUPLES therapy; MINDFULNESS; PSYCHOLOGICAL safety; EXPERIENCE; PHENOMENOLOGY

We discuss some of the main phenomenological functions in couple counseling: epochē, recognition, thematization, and dialogue. As conceptualizations of the conditions by which emotional safety and initiative are fostered in couple counseling, they signify attitudes, practices, and relational stances. We discuss them as therapeutic interventions rather than as methods of qualitative research. We include a case study and analysis with real heterogamous and homogamous couples. The case provides an illustration of what makes these functions therapeutic/practical rather than philosophical, and conveys the benefits of a phenomenology-informed couple counseling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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