Why Individuals With Relationship Issues Seek Therapy

The following are a vignettes with fictitious names of a few of the relationship issues individuals bring to therapy.  Couples vignettes and individuals with non-relationship vignettes are listed on separate pages.

Disappointment

Nora wants Ralph to take some initiative that would indicate he cares about her.  She feels like she gives so much and gets so little. She gets him thoughtful gifts.  She takes care of him.  Why can't he do something that shows he cares about her?  She hints at but can't seem to ask for what she wants.  She can't stand the thought that he will never change.  She knows he would never go to therapy, couples or otherwise.

Grief

Jackie cannot get over her husband’s death.  He died a year ago.  Jackie is desperately sad and still cries daily.  She has had a hard time returning to work and is worried about losing her job.  Her son and daughter don't want to hear about her sadness anymore and her friends don't return calls.  Everyone feels she should be moving on with her life but she feels very alone and sad.

Bad Relationships

Pam wonders why she keeps finding guys who treat her badly.  What is it about her that attracts these guys and why is she attracted to them?  Pam wants a relationship of mutual give and take.  Yet she always seems to be giving; they always seem to be taking.  She wants to prepare for and establish a good relationship.

Divorce

Peter is stunned by his recent divorce.  He is angry about how the legal system screwed him in the divorce settlement.  He wants to do right by his kids but the sight of his ex-wife enrages him.  He wants to learn something from his previous marriage so that he doesn’t repeat it in a new relationship.  He also wants to reduce his part in the angry exchanges with his ex-wife for the sake of his kids.

Distressing Breakup

Beth is devastated by her latest breakup.  She was sure he was “the one” and wonders if she will ever find another.  She hates it but she cannot stop thinking about him.  She is embarrassed that she would do anything to get him back. 

No Relationship

Rhoda worries she will never find anyone.  She feels she is not young and thinks of herself as unattractive.  The few dates she has had over the past year have been disappointing.  It seems like there is a good reason most of those men were single and the two she liked never called back.  Sometimes it feels hopeless.