Date

5-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rachel Piferi

Keywords

Self Reflective Relationship Therapy, SRRT, AtReef Therapy, relationship therapy, couples therapy, relationship satisfaction, relationship rituals, self guided intervention, preventive relationship intervention, marital satisfaction, emotional intimacy, attachment theory, emotional capital, Christian marriage, faith-based counseling, relationship resilience, lived experience, descriptive phenomenology

Disciplines

Counseling | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

This qualitative Husserlian descriptive phenomenological study addressed a gap in first-person accounts of brief self-guided preventive relationship interventions. One such intervention, Self-Reflective Relationship Therapy (SRRT), is a 6-week self-guided workbook combining structured reflection with brief connection practices. The purpose of the study was to describe individuals' first-person lived experiences 6 to 18 months after completing SRRT. Six participants completed asynchronous written reflections, and the data were analyzed using Husserlian descriptive phenomenology with Colaizzi's seven-step method. Participants described SRRT as a workable path toward reconnection after periods of emotional distance or strain. Carryover centered less on continued adherence to the workbook as a whole and more on smaller usable practices, such as brief check-ins, gratitude, softer communication, and quicker repair attempts. Participants also described barriers that limited fit or continuation, including time pressure, writing demands, rigid format, uneven partner engagement, and language issues. When salient, faith functioned as a meaning-making lens for patience, forgiveness, commitment, and care rather than as a distinct mechanism of change. This study offers a cross-case descriptive account of participants' reported lived experiences with SRRT. The findings highlight the value of attending to participants' lived experiences of fit, carryover, and meaning-making alongside outcome-focused research on brief self-guided interventions. This study's contribution lies in insights that may guide program refinement and future qualitative, mixed-methods, and outcome-based research.

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