Neda Zakhirehdari - Department of Counseling, Khuzestan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Shokoh Navabinejad - Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
Amin Koraei - Department of Counseling, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract Introduction: Intimacy has a fundamental importance in the survival of couples' relationships and its rate has a profound effect on marital happiness. The main objective of the present research was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy as well as emotion-focused couple therapy on marital intimacy of couples referring to counseling centers in the city of Zabol, Iran. Method: The current research was a quasi-experimental study with a randomized placement of subjects. The plan of the pre-test and post-test groups as well as control group with two experimental categories were used in this research to test the hypotheses. The statistical population included all couples referring to Zabol counseling centers during ۲۰۱۷-۲۰۱۸. The sample consisted of ۲۴ couples (۴۸ individuals) who were selected through targeted sampling and were randomly divided into three groups (each group with ۸ pairs), namely, two experimental groups (cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy) and a control group. The data were collected by questionnaire of Bagarozzi intimacy. Then, the collected data were analyzed according to covariance analysis (one way and multivariate method). Results: According to the findings, both types of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy as well as emotion-focused couple therapy were effective in increasing marital intimacy. Also, both types of couple therapy were effective in promoting marital performance. Conclusion: To conclude, the effect of cognitive-behavioral couple therapy and emotion-focused couple therapy is different with each other in improving marital performance and marital intimacy between couples.

Keywords: Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Couple Therapy, Marital Intimacy