Consensual Qualitative Research on the Experiences of Common Factors among Couple and Family Counseling Experts in Korea

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of Korean couple and family counseling professionals regarding common factors, and to derive the common factors that they recognize. Methods: Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) was applied to collect data through in-depth interviews with 10 couple and family counseling experts. Results: Eight areas and 31 sub-areas were derived. First, Korean couples and family counseling professionals' experiences on common factors were found through “the need for theory and counseling models”, “the need for an integrated approach”, and “recognition of common factors”. Second, the general common factors of couple and family counseling were “therapist factors”, “client factors”, “cooperative relationship factors”, and “therapeutic intervention factors”. Third, the specific common factors of couple and family counseling were “dealing with subsystems”, “changing perspectives on problems”, “breaking away from dysfunctional patterns”, “expanding into systemic change”, and “restructuring relationship experiences”. Conclusions: By deriving common factors in domestic couple and family counseling, we established an integrated understanding of the principles of therapeutic change and the basis for effective intervention.