Family Psychology - Case Study

Running head: FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
Family Psychology
Name of the student
Name of University
Author notes

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FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
The challenges that the marriage of Charlie and Nicole is facing need to be managed
carefully. The counselling of this couple in their changing relationship need to be done using
a number of counselling strategies. The situation of the family is critical as the life and
upbringing of their son Henry is associated with it.
The first strategy appropriate for the couple is ‘active listening’. This technique to
use to solve conflicts through listening to what the other person is saying and understanding
what is being said. For this, the couple need to meet a counsellor who would initiate a
conversation of their issue and gradually lead the couple to have a logical and engaged
conversation. This part of counselling would be each individual to focus, acknowledge,
respect and clarify what the other person is saying. This method can help Charlie and Nicole
to mark the problem area of their relationship so that they can mend it.
Next is empathy that is a common strategy to make one feel confident and been
listened to. This procedure need to be done individually. In the case of Nicole and Charlie,
they both feel that their words are being neglected by the partner. Especially Nicole thinks the
same as she tells Nora that Charlie is not listening to him and he is rejecting her desires and
ideas as well. The counsellor can take an individual session with this couple and make them
fell understood and empathised (Minuchin, 2018). This will also help the pair to open up in
the absence of the other.
In the marriage of Charlie and Nicole, there are certain misunderstanding standing in
their way. These misunderstanding can be mitigated through rephrasing their words and
actions against each other (Rober, 2017). In this process, the counsellor can give a clue to
start an issue that led them to take decision for divorce. Then they would be asked to put the
positive side of the words delivered to each other. The alternative meanings can be the actual
intension of the person and the misunderstanding can be slightly managed.