Reference no: EM133536847

Case Study: Kyle and Debbie come to you, the pastoral counselor, for help. They have been married for 8 ½years and have two small children, Abigail, who is 6 and Elyse, who is 3. Kyle works for a largepharmaceutical company. He travels often for his job. Debbie works from home for an onlinecompany in a part time, flexible capacity. Kyle and Debbie met near the end of their junior yearin college and dated for about 3 years prior to getting married. Debbie was planning to continueher work in a corporate office for several years but became pregnant earlier than planned. Herpregnancy coincided with a big promotion for Kyle, so Debbie reluctantly decided to stay homerather than having her children in a daycare environment on Kyle's insistence. She has oftenresented Kyle's continued corporate success and wants to return to a job outside the home. Shedoesn't believe she is the motherly type and struggles to remain a cheerful presence with hergirls. Kyle doesn't understand why Debbie is having a hard time staying at home because hismother did that for him and his sister. Debbie's parents were both driven professionals andDebbie was planning to be a vice president in the company where she was employed. Debbie'sresentment toward Kyle has continued to grow, and she has refused to be physically intimatewith him for several weeks.

Kyle and Debbie had been arguing about her returning to the work force just prior to a plannedbusiness trip for Kyle. Debbie had sent her resume into her former employer without Kyle'sknowledge, and he left for the trip angry and disappointed. He felt betrayed and when a femaleco-worker offered him companionship and company, he agreed. He returned home and confessedto Debbie that he had sex with his co-worker on that trip. Debbie was devastated, and Kyle wastruly repentant. He acknowledged he was angry and that he was desiring a physical release. Hehonestly tells Debbie that he has never done this before and has no plans to do this again. Hewants to make amends and will do whatever he needs to reconcile this relationship. Debbie doesnot think she wants a divorce but feels upset about the betrayal and Kyle's lack of considerationfor her desire to return to work.

Questions:

1. In what way can the pastoral counselor guide this couple through forgiveness?
2. Create how the pastoral counselor can assist this couple in rebuilding trust in a marriage where infidelity has taken place?
3. How can the pastoral counselor get Debbie and Kyle on the same page as it relates to each other's perspective about career, being stay at home parents and overall work life balance?