“Couple Counselling, However, Has Its Own Unique Challenges. Usually, the Counsellor Must Deal with Sharing the Same Gender Socialization as Only One Member of the Couple. Sometimes Counselling Concentrated on the

Introduction

In this essay I will critically examine couple counselling and focus on particular perspectives in relation to this and how this differs from other types of counselling. I will attempt to define the challenges and problems associated with couple counselling with particular emphasis on gender socialisation. I will identify the issues that may arise and how gender socialisation can impact on couple counselling.

I will discuss how very often counselling can arouse strong emotions that draw from other aspects of one’s own life. Couple counselling can give rise to deep personal issues from one’s own life be it as a participant or as the counsellor themselves. Although the particular conflicts within the couple are relevant I will highlight how counselling frequently involves the nature of the relationship as each has separately come to define it. Aside from the relationship I will reflect on my own personal experiences and demonstrate how they can relate to the issues of the clients in the counselling process. I want to focus in particular on the skills required for couple counselling and how to use this to identify and possibly resolve their issues.

The main object or goal of the counselling process is to open the communication channels and support both members in trying to identify what is working or not working in their relationship and help them find resolutions to their issues if any. Finally I will conclude by summarising together all the above points and illustrate my understanding of the counselling process and its challenges.

Defining couple counselling

“The heart of good couples counselling is the facilitation of each person’s story and their partner’s listening to that story” (Charles O’Leary 1999, page 131).

Couple counselling is a type of psychotherapy for a couple or established partners that tries to resolve problems in the relationship. Typically, two people attend counselling sessions

Bibliography: Colin Feltham – The SAGE Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 2nd Edition – Sage Publications (2006) Mary Bradford Ivey – Essentials of Intentional Interviewing in a Multicultural World – Thomson Brooks/Cole (2008) Helen Cameron – The Counselling Interview – Palgrave MacMillan (2008) Richard Nelson-Jones – Theory and Practice of Counselling & Therapy, 3rd Edition – Holt, Rinehart and Winston Ltd (2001) Ursula O’Farrell – Families in Focus – Varitas (2007) Charles O’Leary – Counselling Couples and Families – Sage Publications (1999) Polity – The Polity Reader in Gender Studies – Polity Press (1994) Faith Robertson Elliot – The Family: Change or Continuity – MacMillan (1996) 1