• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.81-99
• /
• 2014

This study explored the experiences of couples therapists' marital relationship during the couples therapist training using phenomenological research method. The research questions involved the marital relationship experiences and their meanings, and how their marital relationship experiences affect the development of couples therapists during couples therapist training. Five couples therapists identified their personal, relational, and professional growth experiences by half-structured in-depth interview. Giorgi analysis guidelines were used, and five major themes and 20 subthemes were derived. The essence of their marital relationship experiences was "to establish a marital relationship as partners for growth and healing, and provide resources to become a wounded healer." Five major themes included the motivation to become a couples therapist, the experiencing of personal growth, the experiencing of differentiated connection, the experiencing of professional growth, and resources for the development of couples therapist. Exploration of the meanings of marital relationship experiences during couples therapist training shows the reciprocal relationship among personal, relational, and professional growth experiences. The integration of these experiences leads to holistic development of couples therapists. Implications for practice and future research are also discussed.