Table 2.

Content of IBCT intervention

Sessions	Aims	Content
1	Familiarity and evaluation	The welcome session, explanation of rules and homework. Establishing communication and carrying out initial evaluation based on functional analysis to achieve a codified formulation and treatment plan including theme, polarization, and mutual trap. Training skills regarding active hearing and concentration in a spousal relationship especially regarding infertility and fertility problems.
2	Feedback session	Familiarizing members with the treatment model, building trust and hope, and providing appropriate coordination between the focus on the current problems of the couples and the history of their marital relationship (the initial attraction that couples had for each other, etc.), examining the strengths of the marital relationship and also determining the compatible differences between them, the degree of commitment of the couples to the relationship, providing treatment formulation to the couple and setting goals.
3	Strategies for acceptance	Using empathetic joining and unified detachment methods to provide patterns for couples to experience their dissimilarities differently so that couple problems become a device for greater intimacy between them. Seeing fertility problems as a way for connecting the couple with more empathy.
4	Strategies for creating tolerance	Pointing to the positive aspects of negative behavior, practicing negative behaviors in a therapy session, as well as self-discipline to prevent couples from trying to change each other. Using behavior exchange techniques and teaching communication skills.
5	Strategies for making change	Using behavioral change techniques and communication, problem-solving skills training to make changes in couples' behavior directly. Avoidance of running away from fertility problems and spending more time which each other. Reviewing of positive changes in couple's relationship for better management of fertility problems using IBCT skills.
IBCT: Integrative-behavioral couple therapy