When starting Marriage Counseling, what do we expect at the first few visits?

Question

Was Married in Jan. and already had to seperate, then we got back together and fixing to start counseling.

Answer 1

What we really do in marital and couples therapy:
Session number:
1) gather needed demographics and a summary of issues from both sides... give behavioral homework that compels behavior change
2) delve into issues deeply, get views from both sides and make sure each partner knows what the others is experiencing and seeing-- give cognitive/behavioral
homework
3) look at completion of homework and what was and wasn't completed and why... assess emotional energy to continue or to bring about real change

In our office we operate a tight therapy process. Most therapists will see a couple for brief periods, 6-12 sessions and at times even more (up to 20). Most outcomes are not successful (>80%) since couples typically come in too late and as a last resort to say they tried everything.

I would suggest that instead of therapy, try a really good marriage enrichment seminar- the outcomes are often better and last longer.

Answer 2

The counselor will take you both into her office or she could start by talking with you alone one at a time. I would suggest talking separately at first and then she\he will bring you both together to discuss the problems. Each counseling session will take about one hour.....and you may have to attend many times throughout the months ahead. You will be in a calm setting and the counselor will help you with the proper skills of communicating with each other. It may be helpfull to keep a journal to write down your feelings and emotions throughout the weeks ahead. Also, to write down questions you may have that you want to ask the counselor during your therapy sessions. Everything will be allright...what your doing will be good for both of you...don't be afraid or nervous because the counselor will be of great help! I worked on a stress unit for years and counseling does wonders.....I also had marriage counseling myself and things in my marriage turned around a great deal. You both have to stay with it and dedicate yourselves to making things better. You will sometimes get very emotional but it is good to let it out. The counselor is used to all of our emotions and will help to put things in the right place. So go and be comfortable about it and know it is there to help you. Good luck and best wishes on things getting much clearer and better sweetie.

Answer 3

first the counselor is going to go slowly and lay a foundation. She or he is going to let both of you talk and ask you why you both feel like you need to be there. There isn't any finger pointing from the counselor of whose fault it may be because it took both of you to get to this point. The counselor will want to hear from both of you and then will ask you to probably practice something dealing with communication for that session. But each counselor has their own way of doing things so it just really is up to how that counselor works. There should be nothing to worry about though.

Answer 4

in the first few visits you might expect the counselor to talk to you separate to get each side of things and then after a while talk to bothof you at the same time to help each of you say to each other what the issues each of you have.

Answer 5

I guess the counselor will ask you questions, and there will probably be a lot of tension, You both need to be yourself and be very honest with each other and things will work out. good luck. you both are doing the right thing in going.

Answer 6

The first few visits are really just to provide info for the councelor. You are not going to have any major breakthroughs right away. It gonna take awhile

Answer 7

1

Answer 8

Filling out the paperwork so the counselor get his money. They are basically a bartender who serves no drinks.