Therapy Session Notes

Participants

• Kenzie: Therapist
• Marcus: Husband, stay-at-home parent
• Denise: Wife, substance abuse counselor
• Stephanie: Daughter, 15 years old

Overview

The session involves a family discussing their issues with frequent arguments affecting family dynamics and their teenage daughter Stephanie.

Key Points

Family Background

• Marcus and Denise have been married for 20 years.
• Denise works as a substance abuse counselor, typically from 6 AM to 2-4 PM.
• Marcus is a stay-at-home parent, handling household chores and taking care of Stephanie's school commute.
• Stephanie, their daughter, is 15 years old and is experiencing stress due to her parents' arguments.

Issues Discussed

Communication Problems

• Marcus and Denise argue frequently, often about daily responsibilities and time management.
• Arguments typically occur when Denise returns home from work.
• Lack of communication about emotions and feelings is prevalent.

Impact on Stephanie

• Stephanie finds it difficult to focus on homework due to her parents' loud arguments.
• She prefers going to school to avoid the home environment.
• Stephanie desires a return to a more harmonious family life as experienced in her childhood.

Marcus's Perspective

• Feels neglected as a husband, believes Denise prioritizes her job and role as a mother over their marriage.
• Wishes Denise would acknowledge his feelings and opinions more.
• Experiences insecurity regarding his emotional expression.

Denise's Perspective

• Stressed from balancing work and family obligations.
• Feels misunderstood when unable to leave work early.
• Desires more understanding from Marcus about her work commitments.

Goals and Resolutions

Shared Goals

• Both Marcus and Denise want more family time.
• Looking to balance career and family life effectively.
• Desire to repair the relationship for Stephanie’s well-being.

Individual Goals

• Marcus: Wants Denise to acknowledge his feelings more.
• Denise: Seeks more understanding from Marcus regarding her work commitments.
• Stephanie: Wishes for the family to return to previous harmonious times.

Therapist's Suggestions

• Move towards forgiveness and understanding in the relationship.
• Focus on balancing emotional expression and understanding between partners.
• Plan future sessions to talk more with Stephanie about her school life and the impact of her parents' relationship on her.

Action Items

• Continue therapy sessions to explore these issues further.
• Work on communication strategies.
• Address the balance between work and family life.