Loretta and Bart come to you for marriage counseling. In the first session you see them as a couple. Loretta says that she can't keep going on the way they have been for the past several years. She tells you that she would very much like to work out a new relationship with him. He says that he does not want a divorce and is willing to give counseling his "best shot." Loretta comes to the following session alone because Bart had to work overtime. She tells you that she has been having an affair for two years and hasn't yet mustered up the courage to leave Bart for this other man, who is single and is pressuring her to make a decision. She relates the she feels very discourage about the possibility of anything changing for the better in her marriage. She would, however, like to come in for some sessions with Bart because she doesn't want to hurt him. .
1. What would you be inclined to say to Loretta based on what she has told you privately? I would as Loretta if she loved this other man.
2. Would you be willing to work with Loretta If her aim was to continue her affair and keep her marriage? Why or Why not. I would still be inclined to work with Loretta if she still wanted to continue her affair and keep her marriage. Abandoning a client for their decisions is not being supportive of them. But I would ask her is she really wanted to maintain her marriage and, if so, what changes would she be willing to make. Alderians emphasis is to help married couples decide on if they would want to maintain the relationship then what steps are they collectively going to do to maintain it.
3. How would your views on extramarital affairs influence the intervention I made with Loretta and Bart? In counseling it is highly necessary to remain neutral in regards to involving your personal feelings and beliefs to influence any interventions I would make with my clients. I would have to not think about the immorality of extramarital affairs.