After about 6 or 7 years of asking him to do it - my boyfriend of 10 years (so it's not really MARRIAGE counseling) has finally agreed to therapy - so he and I are going to a licensed MFT next week. We are having problems that revolve around money (I don't think he pays his fair share - he thinks I should be compassionate while he figures out how to make money at something he loves) his daughter (I don't think he is involved enough in her life - and I pick up the slack - but he thinks everything is fine and that I'm too involved in her school work) and his daughter's Mom (I believe that he tends to walk on eggshells around her - and he doesn't defend me when she puts me down - and he says he's trying to keep the peace for his daughter's sake). I'm wondering how much of this I should lay out on the table in the first session. He wouldn't be surprised by any of it - as I've complained about all of it to him. Is there a standard procedure for the first session with a therapist?
2007-04-18 13:56:57 · 2 answers · asked by liddabet 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
The first session is more for gathering info on what you two have problems with and what your goals are. The first session is about laying EVERYTHING on the table you want to discuss, but don't worry if you forget to mention something, there will be time for that. But it's good if you mention EVERYTHING so your counselor can take notes (you may forget some things you wanted to talk about later). I think it may be standard to have 1 person in at a time and the next session you two will start together.
2007-04-18 14:13:48 · answer #1 · answered by justcuriouslyasking 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually during the first session each person has a few moment's to tell the counsellor why they are there and from there the counsellor will tackle each subject starting with the ones they think are most crucial. Remember it is usually only an hour per session so the things you want to discuss the most put them at the top of the list. Meaning I would make a list of the problems you are facing right now and how you would like things to change.
God Bless and Good Luck!
2007-04-18 14:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by Livinrawguy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋