Statement of Understanding for Couple Therapy
For the best possible outcome of couple therapy. it is important that you understand the process and work involved in couple therapy. We understand that couple's therapy starts with an assessment of our relationships both past and present. Couple's therapy is about changing the dance the two of us have co-created throughout our time together as a couple. By entering into couple's therapy, we understand and accept that working towards change may involve experiencing difficulty and intense feelings. some of which may be painful in order to reach our goals. We also understand that couple's therapy will involve change on both our parts. We accept that such changes can have both negative and positive effects and agree to clarify and evaluate potential effects of changes before we undertake them.
Couple's therapy is a time for us to explore the issues that keep us from enjoying and growing inour relationship. We agree not to use therapy as a time for dumping all the gripes of the past week. We agreeto try to be concise in presenting our thoughts and feelings and to say what we need to say and to ask for what we need.
There will be times when our therapist may appear to be on one or the other person's side. but is really on the side of our relationship. If we feel that our therapist is siding unfairly with our partner. we agree to bring up our concerns for discussion in therapy. At times it may be helpful for our therapist to see one or both of us for individual sessions as part of couple treatment. Secrets do not serve our relationship well. Our therapist will work with the secret holder to share information with their partner that is needed to further therapeutic goals. If the secret holder chooses not to share the information, our therapist reserves the right to terminate therapy sessions. If our relationship breaks up and either or both of us wish to re-contract with this therapist for individual therapy, the decision with whom this therapist continues working, will be at the therapist's discretion. In some circumstances, a referral will be made. Phone calls, text and email between sessions are for making or canceling appointments and emergencies only. Should it be necessary to release any information about couple therapy to a third party. both members of the couple must sign a release of information or information cannot be shared with anyone. We understand that information discussed in couple's therapy is for therapeutic purposes and is not intended for use in any legal proceedings involving either of the partners. We agree not to subpoena this therapist to testify for or against either party or to provide records in a court action. Our signatures below indicate that we both agree to the guidelines stated above.