Deciding not to Un-Do the "I Do": a qualitative study of the therapy experiences of women who consider divorce but decide to remain married

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. December 2012. Major: Family social science. Advisor: Dr. Steven M. Harris. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 96 pages, appendices A-F.This preliminary study explores (1) women's experience of couple's therapy while they navigated decision-making around divorcing and (2) the role that the therapy played in the women's decision not to divorce. A phenomenological approach and qualitative method was used to gain a deeper understanding of the participant's therapeutic and decision-making experience. Women that considered initiating divorce before they turned 40 and attended at least five couple's therapy sessions (N = 15) were interviewed for this study. In general, participants reported that the therapy was helpful to them, their decision-making process and their marriages. Five main themes emerged from the interviews specifically regarding the interaction of considering divorce and couples therapy. They were: Women Initiated Therapy, Therapist Was Experienced as Neutral, Therapy was Helpful, Importance of Other Factors, and Gradual Process