Ethical and Conceptual Frame On Path One

DC 2025 Ethical and Conceptual Frame On Path One

Path 1 involves couples deciding to stay married without actively working on their relationship through therapy, nor proceeding with divorce. This path is seen as ethically responsible for couples who are not ready for major changes but also do not want to divorce.

Key Points:

Ethical Framework:

Path 1 is considered a viable option for couples who are not motivated to engage in couples therapy but also do not want to divorce.
It aims to preserve the family unit and avoid the consequences of divorce, such as disruption of lives and potential religious or moral conflicts.

Roles of Leaning In and Leaning Out:

The leaning-in spouse, who is more motivated to work on the relationship, may feel disappointed and trapped if the leaning-out spouse is not ready for therapy.
The ethical obligation involves ensuring fairness and clarity for both spouses, helping the leaning-in spouse understand that Path 1 is a temporary holding pattern rather than a permanent solution.

Clinical Considerations:

Therapists must help the leaning-in spouse avoid making impulsive decisions and encourage them to cooperate with Path 1 if their goal is to save the marriage.
It's important for therapists to avoid quasi-couples therapy that could lead to half-hearted efforts and disappointment for the leaning-in spouse.

Support and Boundaries:

Therapists should offer a session to help couples decide on the terms of Path 1 but avoid regular, ongoing therapy to prevent it from becoming quasi-couples therapy.
The therapist's role is to provide a resource for reevaluation if either spouse wants to reassess their decision in the future, maintaining the sacred space for discernment counseling work.

Empowerment and Choices:

Both spouses are empowered to make choices, and the therapist's role is to help them understand the potential consequences of their decisions without pressuring them into unnecessary actions.
The stance is that the therapist supports the couple's choices and does not abandon them, but also does not facilitate healing of the relationship at this point if the "leaning out" spouse is not ready.

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