The Single-Trauma Couple

Abstract

Trauma survivors and their spouses/partners who seek therapy may present with unique dynamics due to the effects of previous trauma. The current paper provides an analysis of a clinical case vignette for understanding the effects of trauma when only one partner reports a trauma historysingle-trauma couples. The description of the single-trauma couple includes the relevant trauma history, anecdotal case information, and a session transcript, which identify primary issues experienced by the couple. The authors emphasize the importance of using a “trauma lens” when working with couples and families to avoid overlooking important cues about the individual and systemic effects of traumatic stress. Clinical and research implications are also described.

Key Words:

• Single-trauma couples
• case analysis
• systemic trauma effects