The effectiveness of counseling with an emphasis on Choice Theory in reducing emotional divorce in couples

Divorce is an undoubtly damage to the family. Yet, official statistics show that Emotional divorce is now considered a more serious problem. Emotional divorce is a kind of abnormality in the family system through which the relationships does not end in divorce but couples continue their common life for some reason while their marital life may lack love, companionship, and friendship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of counseling with an emphasis on Choice Theory in reducing emotional divorce among couples. The statistical population included couples referring to counseling centers in Ahvaz from which three couples were selected. Multiple baseline experimental single case was used as the method of the study .A counseling program based on Choice Theory was conducted for eight 90-minutes weekly sessions in the form of the couple therapy treatment. After the intervention, a follow-up was performed with a monthly interval. The participants at baseline, treatment and follow-up responded to Emotional Divorce Scale (EDS). Results showed that the counseling program could reduce the couple's scores on the scale which may, in turn, imply a reduction in their emotional divorce. Couples therapists are recommended use this model to improve the couple's emotional intimacy .