Report on Family Psychology: Counseling Strategies for Couples

This report delves into the application of various counseling strategies within the realm of family psychology, focusing on the challenges faced by couples and families. The core of the analysis revolves around the case of Charlie and Nicole, a couple grappling with marital issues, and how different therapeutic techniques can be employed to address their problems. The report highlights strategies such as active listening, emphasizing the importance of understanding and acknowledging each partner's perspective. It then explores the role of empathy, both individually and in couples sessions, to foster a sense of being heard and validated. Furthermore, the report examines the technique of rephrasing to mitigate misunderstandings and open questions to uncover the root of relationship issues. Finally, it discusses the concept of unconditional positive regard as a means to empower individuals to take responsibility for their happiness and foster self-growth. The report references key literature in the field to support its analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of effective counseling approaches in family psychology.

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.

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FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
Open questions can be asked to the couple about their marriage experiences so far.
This is a more direct approach for solving a problems and getting to the root of it. This
counselling technique helps the counsellor to have the idea of various dimension in the
relationship. The couples are asked some open ended question where they can feel free to
speak their heart (Grey et al., 2018). In the case of Nicole and Charlie, it can be seen that the
couple do not open their heart to each other and have grudge against each other. This can be
addressed through this technique.
Unconditional positive regard is a humanistic psychological approach where the
therapist believe in the strength of their clients and expect them to take responsibilities of
their happiness (Murphy et al., 2017). The marital problems of Nicole and Charlie are
critical. There might be some phases where each of them have to take responsibility of their
happiness. The therapist can provide confidence to the clients in this method to have self-
growth at its best.

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FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
References
Grey, N., Byrne, S., Taylor, T., Shmueli, A., Troupp, C., Stratton, P., ... & Cooper, M.
(2018). Goal-oriented practice across therapies.
Minuchin, S. (2018). Families and family therapy. Routledge.
Murphy, D., Joseph, S., Demetriou, E., & Karimi-Mofrad, P. (2017). Unconditional Positive
Self-Regard, Intrinsic Aspirations, and Authenticity: Pathways to Psychological Well-
Being. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 0022167816688314.
Rober, P. (2017). In therapy together: Family therapy as a dialogue. Macmillan International
Higher Education.