General Arrangements :-
Whilst perhaps being initially nervous of the process and possible outcome, couples usually find this work fascinating, challenging and liberating.
To those committed to finding solutions this procedure need take no more than two or three individual sessions, plus a series of perhaps a half-a-
dozen combined sessions.
In my many years' experience, whatever the eventual outcome, both
partners usually benefit substantially and acquire valuable new relationship skills, greater emotional capability and personal confidence - in this or
other relationships - and enhanced respect and trust in each other for the future.
Joint sessions benefit from being of 90 mins to 2 hours duration whilst a shorter session may be appropriate for individual consultation.
My schedule deliberately allows for flexibility. Where the situation
justifies I can see couples unable to attend in the daytime or evening at weekends. I also ensure there is time each day to respond to emergencies.
Whilst many people imagine that this work involves just talking about things, it really requires rather a different commitment from you and very dedicated concentration on my own part. To be effective it requires me to be quietly but perpetually active in promoting opportunities for change.
Even though you will often enjoy the sessions, you will sometimes find yourself very fully engaged and the work demanding. Depending on circumstances, clients may find themselves quite tired after a session. You need to take account of this in making your own arrangements.
Because of the demands of the work I restrict the total number of client sessions I conduct per week. Clients should realise that I schedule my
work to balance the load and the demands made by different cases. It is
not easy to re-schedule these arrangements and it is impossible to do so at short notice. You will therefore need to familiarise yourselves with my cancellation terms.
All sessions are totally confidential. I find it decidedly helpful to have the confidence of each partner individually - to get a proper appreciation of the underlying individual dynamics - enabling me to make as productive a set
of interventions as possible.
I stress that no disclosure made in individual sessions is conveyed from one partner to the other. My role is to observe, understand, interpret and assist the process as constructively as possible.
Copyright keith bibby august 2007 >> Return
