Identifying Common Elements of Evidence – Based Psychological Treatments for Females with Extramarital Experience

Introduction: The therapeutic consequences of extramarital relationships is a difficult issue among therapists, so majority of clinicians are faced with several challenges. Although, they are not able to conceptualize and modify these issues with a suitable and recognized approach, the purpose of this study was to identify common elements of psychological evidence-based therapies in order to develop multi-dimensional intervention for females involved in extramarital relationships. Method: This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was a qualitative content analysis to identify factors influencing the extramarital relations in three steps. The second phase aimed to design and develop multi-dimensional treatments using common elements identified in the first study. This procedure conducted according to Garland et al., method. Result: Sixty-four effective factors identified in four categories: individual’s personality, family educational, cultural-social and religious-beliefs. In the second phase , 13 effective therapeutic approaches in the treatment of extramarital relationships were selected. Finally, 10 common therapeutic elements were developed to design a protocol for extramarital relationships involved females. Conclusion: This treatment emphasized on helping women with the experience of extramarital relationship who want to save their marital commitment and family.