A phenomenological enquiry into the experience of western women who found a significant other after a course of psychotherapy

Whilst relationship therapy is a thriving practice (van Deurzen & Iacovou, 2013; Barker, 2015; Charura & Paul, 2015), no research has focused on women who found a significant other during or after a course of psychotherapy. This study explored the experience of women who overcome their previous difficulty entering healthy romantic relationships during or after attending a course of psychotherapy in any modality. The focus was on uncovering what the participants believe made the difference for them. Seven women gave an account of their experience via semi-structured interviews. The data analysis was performed using a phenomenological-interpretative analysis (IPA) (Smith et al., 2009). Four superordinate themes emerged from the analysis of the seven transcripts, with fifteen associated themes:

1. Self-Love and four associated themes.
The results point towards marked and varied changes in feelings towards oneself.

2. Self-Awareness and four associated themes.
The results show a new understanding of the participants’ worldview.

3. Sense of Agency
The results indicate that the participants have gained an ability to act on their new understandings to shape their lives.

4. Role in the family and three associated themes.
The results suggest that unpacking past events helped support the participants’ change.

Recommendation: The counselling psychology, the psychotherapy world, and the public could benefit from putting psychotherapy forward as a place women can consider going when struggling to form healthy romantic relationships.