Canadian Master Couple Therapists

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics, skills, and experiences of master couple therapists and to gain a deeper understanding of how these experts approach the specialized practice of couple therapy. Seven psychologists and two social workers designated by their professional colleagues as “master couple therapists” participated in a qualitative interview and wrote narratives about their skills, characteristics, and experiences. Individuals who nominated these “master couple therapists” were also interviewed to further understand their choice to nominate these particular practitioners. Data from master couple therapists and nominator participants were analyzed using a category construction and thematic analysis process. Three overarching themes emerged from the data and suggested that this group of master couple therapists demonstrated a remarkable commitment to personal development and self, professional development, and relationships. The importance of engaging in self-care, ongoing learning, and developing strong personal and professional relationships is explored.