Stephen Fife, Ph.D., LMFT

Research Interests

My research efforts are directed toward improving treatment for couples and families by specifically investigating two important areas: (1) common factors and processes of therapeutic change, and (2) the treatment and healing of infidelity. My research and teaching also focus on enhancing the theoretical sophistication of research and practice in marriage, couple, and family therapy.

Areas of Expertise:

• Common factors of therapeutic change
• Change process
• Treatment and healing of infidelity
• Theory and philosophy of psychotherapy

Publications

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS

Weeks, G. R., Fife, S. T., & Peterson, C. (Eds.). (2016). Techniques for the couple therapist: Essential interventions from the experts. New York: Routledge.

Weeks, G. R., & Fife, S. T. (2014). Couples in treatment: Techniques and approaches for effective practice (3rd Edition). New York: Routledge.

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Jones, R. L., Jones, A. C., & Fife, S. T. (2022). A mixed methods study of sexual communication in various couple typologies part II: Qualitative content analysis. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy.

Eddy, B. P., Fife, S., Sibley, D. S., Springer, P., & Turns, B. (2022). Keeping the ledger balanced during pregnancy. International Journal of Systemic Therapy.

Fife, S. T., Theobald, A., Gossner, J., Yakum, B., &White, K. (2022). Individual healing from infidelity and breakup for emerging adults: A grounded theory. Manuscript accepted for publication in the Journal Social and Personal Relationships.

Butler, M. H., Gossner, J. D., & Fife, S. T. (2021). Partners taking turns leaning in and leaning out: Trusting in the arc of healing following betrayal. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2021.1926388

Fife, S. T. , Archuleta, K. L.,Asebedo, S. D., Durband, D. B., Ford, M. R., Gray, B. T., Lurtz, M. R., McCoy, M. A., Pickens, J. C., & Sheridan, J. (2021). Facilitating virtual client meetings for money conversations: Skills and strategies. Journal of Financial Planning, 34(4), 82-101.

Romney, J. S., Fife, S. T., Sanders, D., & Behrens, S. (2021). Treatment of couples experiencing pregnancy loss: Reauthoring loss from a narrative perspective. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 32(2), 134-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/2692398X.2020.1855621

Holyoak, D., Fife, S. T., & Hertlein, K. M. (2021). Client's perception of marriage and family therapists' way-of-being: A phenomenological analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47, 85-103. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12469

Fife, S. T., & Kazlauskaite, V. (2021). Adolescent experience with parental cancer and involvement with medical professionals: A heuristic phenomenological inquiry. Journal of Adolescent Research, 36(4), 371-397. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558420985446

Davis, S. D., Fife, S. T., Whiting, J. B., & Bradford, K. P. (2021). Way of being and the therapeutic pyramid: Expanding the application of a common factors meta‐model. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 47(1), 69-84. doi:10.1111/jmft.12466

Eddy, B., & Fife, S. T. (2021). Active husband involvement during pregnancy: A grounded theory. Family Relations, 70(4), 1222-1237. (published online August 2020) http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fare.12486

Fife, S. T., & D'Aniello, C. (2020). A 20-year review of common factors research in marriage and family therapy: A mixed methods content analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(4), 701-718. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12427

Romney, J. S., Austin, K., Fife, S. T., Sanders, D., & Snyder, H. (2020). Stress experienced and meaning making of couples with children with autism spectrum disorder: A phenomenological study. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2020.1813654 (Published online September 2, 2020)

[1] Dansby Olufowote, R. A., Fife, S. T., Schleiden, C., & Whiting, J. (2020). How can I become more secure?: A grounded theory of earning secure attachment. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46(3), 489-506. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12409

Fife, S. T., Roper, S., & Sedall, R. (2019). The intergenerational effects of parental divorce on young adult relationships. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage. doi: 10.1080/10502556.2019.1699372

Fife, S. T., Stewart, C., Hawkins, L. (2019). Family-of-origin, sexual attitudes, and perceptions of infidelity: A mediation analysis. TheAmerican Journal of Family Therapy, 48(2), 142-159. doi: 10.1080/01926187.2019.1684218

Eggleston, D., Hawkins, L., Fife, S. T. (2019). As the lights fade: A grounded theory of male professional athletes' decision-making and adjustment to retirement. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. doi: 10.1080/10413200.2019.1626514

Fife, S. T., D'Aniello, C., Scott, S., & Sullivan, E. (2019). Marriage and family therapy students' experience with common factors training. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 45(2), 191-205. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12333 (Published online 27 April 2018)

Fife, S. T., & D'Aniello. C. (2017). Common factors' role in accredited MFT training programs. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(4), 591-604. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12218

Morrison, S. C., Fife, S. T., & Hertlein, K. M. (2017). Mechanisms behind prolonged effects of parental divorce: A phenomenological study. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 58(1), 44-63.  doi: 10.1080/10502556.2016.1262652

Fife, S. T. (2015). Martin Buber's philosophy of dialogue and implications for qualitative family research. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 7(3), 208-224.

[1]  Awarded the 2020 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAFMT) Foundation Outstanding Research Publication Award.

[1]  Awarded the 2020 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAFMT) Foundation Outstanding Research Publication Award.

+Fife, S. T., Whiting, J. B., Bradford, K., & Davis, S. (2014). The therapeutic pyramid: A common factors synthesis of techniques, alliance, and way of being. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40(1), 20-33.

Fife, S. T., Weeks, G. R., & Stellberg-Filbert, J. (2013). Facilitating forgiveness in the treatment of infidelity: An interpersonal model. Journal of Family Therapy, 35, 343-367.

Whiting, J. B., Oka, M., & Fife, S. T. (2012). Appraisal distortions and intimate partner violence: Gender, power, and denial. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, 133-149.

Weeks, G. R., & Fife, S. T. (2009). Rebuilding intimacy following infidelity. Psychotherapy in Australia, 15(3), 28-39.

Fife, S. T., Weeks, G. R., & Gambescia, N. (2008). Treating infidelity: An integrative approach. The Family Journal: Counseling & Therapy for Couples and Families, 16(4), 316-323.                                       
Bird, M. H., Butler, M. H., & Fife, S. T. (2007). The process of couple healing following infidelity: A qualitative study. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 6(4), 1-25.

GUEST EDITOR: JMFT VIRTUAL ISSUES

Whiting, J. B., Fife, S. T., & Cravens-Pickens, J. D (2022). Qualitative research in marriage and family therapy [Special Viritual Issue]. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17520606/homepage/qualitative-research-in-family-therapy

Fife, S. T., and Holyoak, D. (Guest Editors) (2020). The therapist in marriage and family therapy [Special virtual issue]. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17520606/homepage/the_therapist_in_marriage_and_family_therapy?

Fife, S. T. (Guest Editor) (2017). Infidelity [Special virtual issue]. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/17520606/homepage/virtual_issue__infidelity.htm

+ Winner of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy Best Article of 2014 Award; nominated for the 2015 NCFR Reuben Hill award for an outstanding article contributing to family research and theory.