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Frequently Asked Questions I would like my spouse/partner to come in for an appointment with me because we have problems in our relationship, but he/she is refusing. What can I do? It is certainly frustrating when you believe therapy may help you and your partner sort through a problem in your relationship, and your partner is unwilling to come for an appointment. There are many reasons why people do not want to come in for therapy - they may carry a stigma that therapy means they are weak and cannot solve their own problems, they may fear being harshly criticized, or they may not want to make changes. If you and your partner can explore the reasons, do so. Sometimes partners will come in for an appointment if they know that the first appointment is an assessment appointment, and does not mean a commitment to further therapy sessions. Sometimes fears about an appointment are dispelled if the partner talks by telephone to the psychologist, and is given an opportunity to ask any questions about what to expect from a first therapy session. Some partners feel more able to seek individual therapy initially rather than couples therapy. Although many couples issues are best addressed with both people in the session, if your partner is still unwilling to come for a couples session, you can decide if you may benefit from coming in on your own for an appointment. |