Post-Infidelity Interventions in Couple Therapy: A Systematic Thematic Synthesis of Change Processes Across Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Romantic infidelity disrupts relational functioning and attachment security. This systematic thematic synthesis reviewed 11 intervention-oriented studies of post-infidelity recovery in couple and family therapy. Across diverse therapeutic orientations, recurring change processes included emotional safety, meaning-making, attachment repair, behavioral consistency, and relational restructuring. Based on these findings, we propose a flexible three-phase clinical heuristic comprising emotional stabilization, narrative reorganization, and relational integration. The framework supports clinical decision-making without prescribing a single modality and highlights the need for longitudinal, process-oriented, and culturally responsive research.