The unprecedented times of the novel Coronavirus quarantine and subsequent stay‐at‐home orders have changed the way many couple therapists provide clinical services. Understanding couple therapists’ experiences with teletherapy is important for optimizing future telehealth delivery with couples. Thus, the purpose of this mixed methods survey study was to explore couple therapists’ experiences of transitioning from in‐person/traditional therapy to online/telehealth delivery. A total of 58 couple therapists completed an online survey for this study. Reported are both quantitative and qualitative findings. Overall, this study found that couple therapists experienced a positive shift from traditional/in‐person therapy to online/telehealth therapy, with a majority of couple therapists (74%) reporting they would continue providing teletherapy after the novel Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing regulations had ended. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes from couple therapists’ experiences related to advantages, challenges, and recommendations for practice. Implications for clinical training and future research are discussed.

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The novel Coronavirus pandemic (COVID‐19) and subsequent social distancing practices have altered the way we move through the world and access physical and mental healthcare. While researchers and clinicians have begun to explore the impact of telehealth delivery on psychotherapy and treatment outcomes, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of individuals in teletherapy, specifically those engaging in teletherapy with a romantic partner or family member. Using a thematic analysis of open‐ended online survey questions, we explored the experiences of 25 individuals who engaged in couple or family teletherapy after social distancing began. The resulting themes included “making do,” safe therapeutic space, convenience, logistical challenges, and therapist accommodation. We discuss the clinical implications of these themes to support effective couple and family teletherapy and offer suggestions and considerations for remote clinical interventions and practices. [Correction added on 22 March 2021, after first online publication: The term '19' has been changed to '(COVID‐19)' in the first line of the Abstract section, in this version.]

The present study explored how spouses’ reports of marital dissatisfaction (independent variable) are associated with depression symptoms (mediator) and physical health (dependent variable) over time. Data were from the Marriage Matters Panel Survey (Nock et al., ). We used autoregressive cross‐lagged models to test temporal connections between variables for newlywed husbands, wives and couples (N=707 couples) at Waves 1, 2 and 3, spanning five years. Results indicated physical health is an important predictor, as are wives’ depression symptoms and husbands’ marital dissatisfaction (all three demonstrate partner effects). However, the effects of health are no longer observed at Time 2. For wives there is a reciprocal relationship between marital dissatisfaction and depression symptoms; for husbands, marital dissatisfaction leads to increased depression. This study provides additional support that marital dissatisfaction, depression and physical health are interrelated across time. Practitioner points Assessment and treatment using a biopsychosocial approach is critical to fully understanding connections between marriage, depression and health for couples Repeated assessment of marital dissatisfaction in couple therapy may be necessary, as effects of dissatisfaction are corrosive over time and predict other areas of wellbeing Attending to and exploring gender differences in couples may be helpful, as links between marital dissatisfaction, depression and health vary for men and women

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