Intersections Between Hope and Vulnerability in Couples’ Experiences of the Reflecting Team Process

Abstract

Couple therapists have asserted that hope and vulnerability are active forces in the therapeutic process. However, no research has been published that examines clients’ experiences of hope and vulnerability when participating in couple therapy. To address this gap in the literature, the authors conducted in-depth interpersonal process recall interviews with six clients (three couples). Interviews focused on their underlying experiences of hope and vulnerability during the reflecting team process. The authors present clients’ descriptions of where these experiences overlap. Using the information provided by clients, they make suggestions regarding attending to hope and vulnerably during the reflecting team process.