Therapy comes in many guises, but common factors alert us to similarities rather than differences. Common factors are the core elements which account for processes of change that can be identified across models and include therapeutic relationship, therapist competence and empathy, client factors and interactive processes including insight and emotional expression. These elements have been debated in individual therapy since the1930’s and more recently, couple and family therapists have also been interested to explore their relevance.
How Has this Been Applied in Couple’s Therapy?
In couples therapy these elements and common processes have been identified as embedded in couple therapy interventions and shared across models. These include ‘behavioral regulation (changing the doing), cognitive mastery (changing the viewing), and emotional experiencing (enacting affective experiencing/regulation).’ While the emphasis on each of these may differ with the model, the intent is to alter the partner’s cognition, affect or behaviour.
Corrective Experiencing as a Common Factor in Couples Therapy
While the term corrective experience was first used in psychodynamic therapy it has been identified across models of practice. Authors Whiting et al (2025) were interested in exploring the concept in relation to couples therapy, preferring the term corrective experiencing. This reflected the idea that it is a process whereby the client actively and emotionally experiences an event or relationship in a different and unexpected way and in contrast to previous occasions. A key element is the experiencing of evoked emotion which generates experiential learning. Practitioners can use this understanding to select interventions from a range of systemic models to create change in couple relationships.
Processes to Evoke Corrective Experiencing
Three processes have been identified which are evoked in therapy. These are confronting, which involves the therapist insistence on addressing avoided issues, expressing, encouraging the client to experience and display emotions, and regulating which involves supporting the client to self soothe. When working with couples the practitioner attends to how these will occur and the role of the relationship in facilitating this.
Couple Therapy and Corrective Experiencing
Nearly all models of couple therapy have methods to evoke corrective experiencing. Depending on the model of change underpinning the approach, affect, cognition or behavioural alteration may be the primary focus and each of these can be an entry point for corrective experiencing. Confronting may occur through the practitioner supporting the couple to have conversations that have been avoided or to direct conversations about contentious issues that have been the source of escalating conflict. Clients may be encouraged to discuss emotionally charged issues differently and in a helpful and productive way. When appropriate, the practitioner can support clients to express painful and difficult emotions and identify fears and insecurities which underpin them. Regulation of emotions is achieved through interrupting and slowing negative escalations and support active and respectful listening. With the establishment of a virtuous interactional cycle both parties become more open and experience the other in a more positive and productive light.
In Summary
Corrective experiencing in couples therapy takes an individual strategy evoked by a practitioner into the realm of the couple relationship. Carefully and sensitively managed this equips both parties with skill, understanding and compassion that will stand them in good stead in managing future challenges.
Whiting, J., Fife, S., Davis, S., Ogles, B., Russell J. Bailey, R.(2025) Corrective Experiencing as a Common Factor in Couple Therapy: Creating New and Positive Emotions in Relationships Family Process, 2025; 64:e70087 https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.70087
