Tending the Soul Through Romantic Love

The purpose of this thesis is to provide understanding of and meaning to how both inner work and couples work sustain a romantic love relationship. The material in this work is explored through a depth psychological lens and the inquiry is guided by hermeneutic and heuristic methodologies. A large portion of this research discloses the author's personal experiences of how individual work and couples work influence a romantic love relationship. The findings suggest that tending the soul through romantic love and nurturing the relationship itself promotes growth in both individuals and the couple as a whole, which results in a healthy and successful relationship. The findings offer guidance for other couples seeking connection and growth within a romantic love relationship and for clinicians who are working with couples.