A note for couples...
Couples come in many forms. I am happy to see partners in any of the myriad ways love and care is expressed in the context of a couple.
It is not customary for me to meet individually with clients I am working with in the context of a couple. This is because I see the relationship as my client, not either individual. So, if you and your partner decide to have some individual sessions as part of the couples therapy, what you say in those individual sessions will be considered to be a part of the couples therapy, and can and probably will be discussed in joint sessions. Do not tell me anything you wish kept secret from your partner. I will remind you of this policy before beginning such individual sessions.
Something to keep in mind as you begin working in couples therapy is that, especially in the beginning, you may find that as your partner opens up about their experiences in the relationship you may feel hurt or angered by what they disclose. It is important to remember that open communication is an essential ingredient in a healthy relationship, and while intentionally hurting another person is not acceptable, being open about feelings, even if the other person might find it hurtful, is sometimes necessary to lay the groundwork for a new communication style. A big part of couples work is learning to communicate feelings effectively.
It is not customary for me to meet individually with clients I am working with in the context of a couple. This is because I see the relationship as my client, not either individual. So, if you and your partner decide to have some individual sessions as part of the couples therapy, what you say in those individual sessions will be considered to be a part of the couples therapy, and can and probably will be discussed in joint sessions. Do not tell me anything you wish kept secret from your partner. I will remind you of this policy before beginning such individual sessions.
Something to keep in mind as you begin working in couples therapy is that, especially in the beginning, you may find that as your partner opens up about their experiences in the relationship you may feel hurt or angered by what they disclose. It is important to remember that open communication is an essential ingredient in a healthy relationship, and while intentionally hurting another person is not acceptable, being open about feelings, even if the other person might find it hurtful, is sometimes necessary to lay the groundwork for a new communication style. A big part of couples work is learning to communicate feelings effectively.
