Barraca-Mairal, J. (2025). Infidelity: A contextual view. Weisermann Publishing.
Discovering an affair can shatter a relationship and deeply undermine one’s self-esteem. This book not only helps readers understand how couples reach such a crisis, but also offers clear guidance for navigating difficult decisions: healing together or separating without lasting scars. Infidelity: A Contextual View invites us to move beyond simplistic explanations and to approach infidelity through contextual psychology, taking into account each couple’s unique history and circumstances. It also provides practical, evidence-based strategies for rebuilding trust or supporting a healthy separation process. An essential resource for anyone facing this experience, as well as for psychologists and couples therapists seeking fresh perspectives and effective tools.
With Foreword by ANDREW CHRISTENSEN, PhD
Although couples therapists frequently face the clinical challenge of infidelity, this issue has not received the level of research attention that its prevalence and impact would warrant. Among the different models of couple therapy, Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) is one of the few approaches that has provided empirical analyses of the effectiveness of its intervention with couples dealing with infidelity (Atkins et al., 2005; Marin et al., 2014), while also offering a conceptual understanding of the phenomenon within its own theoretical framework (Barraca & Polanski, 2020).
In Infidelity: A Contextual View (2026), Dr. Barraca-Mairal synthesizes the most relevant and well-supported findings currently available on the leading approaches to helping couples navigate the aftermath of infidelity. The book offers a contextual analysis of infidelity and draws on the IBCT model and its core concepts—such as DEEP analysis and polarization—to clarify the processes involved in these crises. In addition, core IBCT interventions, including empathic joining and unified detachment, are presented as valuable therapeutic tools to help partners make sense of what they have experienced and, when they so choose, work toward restoring their relationship.
Written for clinicians and other professionals interested in couple therapy, the volume provides both a conceptual framework and practical guidance for addressing one of the most complex and emotionally charged problems seen in clinical practice.
The book can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.com/Infidelity-Contextual-View-Jorge-Barraca-Mairal/dp/8409806606/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LO0ZDRKB0RNW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ydaNDDvrEMf3UjThd2bSsK6RWtpvGRxZfqoGtI7Qxl5MQWbXIEMzwVC-XtdmZf3WzLAg-GL6WyqGwla7t_-Rwi6coHp-FTFFpX8Ohjm_gsYgJ8uT6Mmn8fgXSCaILyx0eZ7Q9wjhfry5_S4vlnhVpxtcLmzfzUG00xxr0O1UevpcEtzc294dB5MnF5U7nsRqMtEteSUltZfnEV2CBaGcPQ.2aAYRavlsFMfxPkHIB3QtwA_NzlNQc-D4FSjbuMSkQ4&dib_tag=se&keywords=infidelity+barraca&qid=1773479369&sprefix=%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-1