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what experience does everybody have with family councelling?

oncechoosetosmile's picture

Sorry, this is my second blog today.SO and I agreed to start some family councelling soon.
I remember some stories here where what the councellor recommended was making no sense and things worse(eg one recommeded that the teenage SD should still be allowed to join poor Smom and dad in their bed for cuddles, wth!!).So , my question for you is- how are your experiences and how do I get a councellor who is experienced with step families and knows what she/he is talking about?thanks in advance.

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oncechoosetosmile's picture

O , thanks for that IS1988.I think that SO and I both really wanting some things to change at home.I hope we find somebody good!!

Rags's picture

Yep, my XW and I saw a counselor for about 6mos. Things inproved, at least on the surface, then she ran off with her geriatric fortune 500 executive sugar daddy.

Counselors are like any employee. Thew work for you and if they do not clearly work with you to defince what it is you want out of your therapy then fire them and find one that is not the usual pseudo sciene/pseudo profession idiot.

There are some good ones out there but in my experience they are rare.

If you are in the central Texas region I have one I would reccomend if you want to shoot me a PM.

Doubletakex3's picture

I suggest interviewing a couple of therapist before deciding on one. Ask for their philosophies on stepfamilies. If they respond with crazy talk (e.g. just like any other family), move on. Throw a few hypothetical scenarios out and see how they respond. It's good to hear how the therapist phrasing things in advance to know whether your SO would be receptive to the therapist's style.

Absent a strong referral from someone I know and trust, I conduct an interview just like I'd do if I were hiring an employee (to use Rags' analogy).