Previously Relate Severn and Wye
How to fix family problems
Families can be complicated
Bill and Kylie have been living together for 3 years. Bill has 2 daughters under 10 who visit regularly, but live with their Mum. Kylie works full time and has 3 daughters from a previous relationship who live with the couple.
Bill and Kylie came to us as blended family life was not working and the friction with the children is causing relationship problems between them.
The Counselling
The couple attended separate initial assessment appointments where they were able to tell their story in a safe quiet environment. These sessions are completely confidential and the information gained is not shared. It was clear from this that there were problems around trust, boundaries, jealousy and communication.
In the third part of the initial assessment the couple come together and agree the focus for their counselling. Both Bill and Kylie had dealt with childhood trauma, which they recognised was impacting on their relationship so they agreed they wanted to focus on this first.
Following this Bill agreed he would set work boundaries, creating time for the family. Finances also caused trust issues, so the couple agreed to sit and talk openly and regularly about money, budgeting, and planning for future expenditure.
The Outcome
These agreed goals were set as activities to be practiced between sessions. The couple reported back and activities developed as a consequence. They were talking more and being more honest and transparent with each other on all subjects.
Parenting skills were then discussed and a need to treat all of their children the same, particularly the younger ones. The couple agreed to talk together about their expectations for their children and then to talk to the children, letting them talk too, so that everyone had a voice. New household rules were introduced which the couple said were working well.
The couple recognise that if they work as united parents with their children there is a much calmer atmosphere in the house.
This case study is loosely based on the kind of scenarios we work with, as opposed to a specific client. We never shares the stories of our clients without permission, even with names and details changed.
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