One Premarital or Marital Assessment Summary Paper Based on Genograms
and an In-Depth Clinical Interview Conducted with One Couple
First, select a couple you are either working with in counseling, or one that is willing
to give you approximately 2 hours of their time.Let them know that you will
complete a genogram on their family of origin, followed by some in-depth questions
you will be asking them about their relationship and how they function as a couple.
Second, when creating the genogram (instructions to be given in class) examine
various patterns (affective, behavioral, attitudinal, spiritual/religious, etc.) in their
families-of-origin (Note: If possible, have them go back at least two generations to
the grand-parent level).Your genograms can be handmade or put together by using
one of the computer programs that creates genograms; for example,
www.genopro.com.Focus on key individuals in the extended family system, and
especially relationship dynamics such as alliances, cut-offs, how emotions are
expressed or inhibited (e.g., love, affection, anger, guilt/shame), how conflicts are
resolved, gender-related themes and patterns, implicit rules and “contracts”, and
anything else that they deem important.
Finally, after constructing the genograms, conduct an in-depth interview with the
couple, gaining some realistic picture of the current health and stability of their
relationship. Some sample questions will be provided in class (i.e., from a Healthy
Couple Interview); however, you will be expected to create some of your own
questions as a group as well. When writing the summary paper of your interview,
discuss the answers to the questions you have addressed as you make your own
clinical interpretations of the case.
Summary Paper:
Your APA 4-5 page (typed, double-spaced) summary paper (apart from the
inclusion of genograms) should include a description of:
- A) What you did (how session went and what you did with the couple.).
B)What you learned about “past and present” family relationships in the
genogram and this couple’s current level of functioning .
C)Treatment (therapy) implications and recommendations, or couple’s
education/enrichment, if any.
D)Critique (your clinical opinion of the process as a therapist, the value of this
assignment, etc).
- E) Inclusion of Genogram(s) (include legend).
***TEXT THAT NEED TO BE QUOTED ON THE PAPER***
- TEXTBOOKS (Required):
Carson, D.K. & Casado-Kehoe, M. (2011). Case studies in couples therapy: Theory-based
approaches. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-87943-9.
Gehart, Diane, & Tuttle, Amy R. (2003).Theory-based treatment planning for marriage and
family therapists.Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole – Thomson Learning. Library of Congress
Control Number: 2002110922.
Hart, A.D. & Morris, S.H. (2003). Safe haven marriage: Building a relationship you want to
come home to. Nashville: W. Publishing Group.
Stosny, S. & Love, P. (2009). How to improve your marriage without talking about it. Broadway
One Premarital or Marital Assessment Summary Paper
I approached a couple in one of the marital counselling programs at the church and was willing to give me two hours of their time. Since it was on a day they attended the counselling, they had time to spare after their session. Thus, the interview session took place in the same church hall the couples underwent their marital counselling. They have been attending therapies at the church for the past two weeks, one day per week to overcome some of the challenges they experience in their marriage.
I got their informed consent to participate in the interview and let them know that I would complete a genogram on their family of origin. They did not object and were even willing to respond to my interview questions about their relationship and how they function as a couple. During the interview, I discovered that the couple is regular churchgoers and are committed to their faith. They met in church, were attracted to each other, and joined the church choir, where they minister to date.
One of the things I discovered from the interview was that the lady is from a divorced family, which is a source of concern about the success of her marriage. However, she has confidence in her current relationship and is sure that her husband’s love will make their marriage successful. They are also Christians and believe that their faith will make them stronger. I also revealed that their willingness to undertake couple’s therapy would be important in addressing any marital conflicts, as Carson and Casado-Kehoe (2011). On the other hand, the man was raised by both parents, who are still stably married. His family did not have any negative relationships, as is the case with his wife’s family. He learned about family values from his family and is willing to practice the same in his marriage. The couple spends time together, including travelling and going on vacations at the beach. They also attend the church and do devotion together as a source of emotional support.
The couple’s current level of functioning is mediated by the stability of the past relationships, especially on the man’s side. The man was raised in a stable home and is committed to having such a home in his marriage. Although he has some limitations, such as contributing less to the family, he appears to believe that marriage can become a safe haven for his wife and children. According to Hart and Morris (2003), effective marital therapy and education can help couples create that haven. As such, he is so loving and caring towards his wife. Although the lady is anxious about marriage due to her parent’s divorce when she was 10 years old, her fiancé keeps assuring her that their marriage will work. The woman has not been in any other serious relationship, but the husband was engaged before. The engagement did not work, leading him to leave and decide that would add value to his life.
Dating plays a critical role in a marriage. The couple had dated for four years, going on regular dates at a restaurant, before they finally got married. They decided to get married after the wife graduated from college with her bachelor’s degree. Because of their faith, they did not live together before marriage. They gain their faith in marriage from Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
The couple has defined roles in the marriage and relationship. The wife is a full-time student and works full-time. The husband works fulltime to meet his obligations for the family. They share household duties since they are both working. They share the responsibility of taking care of their child without depending on daycare. When one works during the day, the other one works at night to be always present for the child. However, most of the decisions about the one-year-old child are made by the mother since the father does not seem so cooperative. The child has changed their lives by bringing so much joy to their lives. They had challenges before since the husband thought the wife never conceived was that they didn’t have enough sex. He was overwhelmed by the thoughts of what he could do to make life better for his wife.
The biggest strength for the couple is the wife, who goes above and beyond to make sure all the bills are being paid while the husband only works one job. The husband did not like house chores so much, but this has somewhat changed since the birth of their daughter. They can now take chances taking care of the baby. However, the wife is still overwhelmed with balancing work, education, and family. Regardless, she remains a pillar for the family.
The couple’s main argument emanates from the wife’s feeling overwhelmed by the marital responsibility and having to work two jobs to keep up with bills. Her husband works only one job, while the wife also has to attend school full time. She feels as though her husband is lazy. Because of the overwhelming responsibilities that the wife has taken, it is has taken a toll on their sex life, and the wife says she does not care. The husband could feel that the importance of sex is neglected in their home.
Couple’s counselling and therapy are necessary in this case. The couple needs to learn how to operate in marriage and how to share responsibilities. They should learn the power of trust and forgiveness in marriage (Fincham & Beach, 2002). They should learn about what breaks a marriage, such as dishonesty, infidelity, and communication problems. Communication is the key to building a good marriage (Stosny & Love, 2009). They should be counselled about how to communicate their feelings to prevent silent conflicts that destroy many marriages. When couples master the art of communication, they can address any issues before it breaks up their union.
The assignment is important to a therapist since it includes important information about marital relationships, what makes or breaks such relationships, and how to counsel or train couples to ensure that they remain married. It can help people already in marriage and experiencing challenges or conflicts to resolve them and live happily. It can also help educate those entering into the union to understand the things that make or break a marriage. For example, the interview would provide the theoretical basis that Gehart and Tuttle (2003) propose for professional marital therapists. It is a source of practice necessary to make a strong marital counselor. Genome
Symbols
Gender
Family relationship
Emotional relationships
Wife
Husband
References
Carson, D.K. & Casado-Kehoe, M. (2011). Case studies in couples therapy: Theory-based approaches. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 978-0-415-87943-9.
Fincham, F. D., & Beach, S. R. (2002). Forgiveness in marriage: Implications for psychological aggression and constructive communication. Personal Relationships, 9(3), 239-251.
Gehart, D. & Tuttle, A. R. (2003). Theory-based treatment planning for marriage and family therapists. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole
Hart, A.D. & Morris, S.H. (2003). Safe haven marriage: Building a relationship you want to come home to. Nashville: W. Publishing Group.
Stosny, S. & Love, P. (2009). How to improve your marriage without talking about it. Broadway Books.