Therapy with individuals and couples deciding to continue or end their relationship

In this chapter, we discuss the process of working with individuals and couples in therapy who are deciding to continue or end their marriage or committed relationship. We provide a summary of the primary theoretical foundations of research and clinical work with this population. We also present primary research on predictors of relationship dissolution, relationship ambivalence, commitment uncertainty, and divorce ideation before providing an overview of the primary clinical modalities used with those in the divorce/separation decision-making process. Two assessments are provided to aid systemic therapists in their work. The chapter includes an analysis of ethics salient to working with those deciding whether or not to end their relationship. We conclude with a brief discussion of future directions for research in this area.