A Journey of Remembering: A Narrative Framework for Older Couples Experiencing Infidelity

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of therapeutic attention to infidelity in older couples and suggest a theoretical framework for working with this population. A description of ageist discourses that potentially explain and complicate the problem of infidelity is presented. A clinical vignette is used to highlight these discourses and provide recommendations clinicians can use to help couples re-story experiences around infidelity.Rationale for the use of narrative therapy is presented through empirical literature on its use with older couples and infidelity, specifically focusing on dominant discourses connected with each of these experiences. Creating new narratives can help older couples focus on the strength and wisdom that accompanies age rather than messages of weakness and frailty.

KEYWORDS:

• Couple therapy
• narrative therapy
• infidelity
• older couples
• ageism