This is the final written assignment in this course. Throughout the course, you should work to infuse information about your couple and identified patient (Jasmine) in each section. This template is
Clinical Interpretation of Couples Report
Part I
Three Major Differences
In the facilitators report it indicates that Rachel strongly disagrees with “I wish my partner would do a better job of being on time” & Jason strongly agrees that he wishes his partner would be on time. In contrast to the couples report under “Organized” Jason scored high range and Rachel scored average (contradiction to the facilitators report), which means that Rachel does not see herself as being more organized and on time (as indicated by the couple’s report) whereas Jason’s outcomes seems to be more consistent with the both reports.
Facilitators report- Character Traits: “My partner is a very honest and truthful person” Both provided different responses Rachel “strongly agree” and Jason “disagree”. In contrast on the Couples report: Personality Scale-Pleasing Rachel scored “High” whereas Jason scored “Average”. Rachel feels Jason is open and honest and Jason feels she is not, which indicates need to practice their communication and conflict resolution skills and honest expressions of their own feelings.
This being the obvious is that the facilitators report was more in-depth and covered more areas such as parenting, cohabitation, and commitment and abuse whereas the Couples report only covered strength & growth, personal stress, and personality scale. The Couples report is designed to get them thinking and talking about their relationship. This report can help identify their relationship strengths, which are resources they can use to build their relationship. On the other hand, the Facilitators report is a report that is not to be shared with the clients for purposes of diagnostic and assessing, however it is imperative that the therapist talk about discrepancies in both reports and similarities.
Sharing Results w/Couple
I feel as a counselor that not only is it imperative to share information but to compare and contrast responses on the couple’s report. I would have an individual session and have them to read their responses to each and then allow opportunity for each to express their feels on the findings whether they agree or disagree and explore possible solutions. It seems as though Rachel views her relationship with Jason in a higher degree than he does and this is exactly what I have seen in my own couple that I am currently working. Jasmine sees their relationship through a glass rose lens whereas Dilan sees the relationship in trouble if there is no change. This seems to be typical in couples that I have worked with throughout my practicum and internship.
Part II
Similarities & Differences
Both Jason and Rachel appeared to have a lot of similarities such as their commitment to one another. They both strongly agreed in this area not being interested in others, commitment to the relationship, and believing each is committed to the relationship. Another similarity being the Abuse section they both agreed that there was no history of abuse from family or self.
There were not many differences that I could see between both reports however the one of the big differences I saw was in the facilitators report was and how Jason did not agree that Rachel was honest and truthful and Rachel was opposite in believing that Jason was honest and truthful. It was also notable that it was not surprising to me on the couples report they both scored very high on idealistic distortion because as indicated in the facilitators report one seems to think more highly of the relationship than the other and I feel as a counselor this is largely due to the misconception of the other partner.
Areas of Improvement
Idealistic Distortion: They both scored very high, which means they do not communicate effectively or no how each other really feels
Personal Stress: They both scored high for stress levels, which can create many demands on their time and energy
Communication: Rachel feels good about their communication scoring high where Jason feels good about their communication, but also have concerns about sharing feelings and active listening scoring average.
Conflict Resolution: Both scoring average but Jason having concerns of expression of feelings and struggling with identifying any strengths in this area
Partner Style & Habits: They both agree that there are significant concerns one being “I am unhappy with some of my partner's personality characteristics or personal habits”. Jason agrees and Rachel disagrees; “I am unhappy with some of my partner's personality characteristics or personal habits” Rachel agrees and Jason disagrees
Leisure Activity: Rachel scored high and Jason scored average. They are not in agreement on how leisure time is spent.
Relationship Expectations: Both are not in agreement Rachel having unrealistic expectations and Jason having realistic expectations. Reviewing the myths that lead to later disappointment can help them progress in their relationship with a mature understanding of the natural challenges all couples face.
Cohabitation Issues: Rachel is very satisfied with the experience of living together and how it has affected their relationship; Jason is very dissatisfied with the experience of living together and how it has affected their relationship.
Personality Scale Organized: They will need to communicate openly with one another about their goals, roles, and expectations. It is likely that their partner’s tendencies may be endearing at times, but can also become annoying, distracting, or even maddening when stressful events come their way
Personality Scale Pleasing: They need to practice their communication and conflict resolution skills
Personality Scale Emotionally Steady: They will need to remember to work with one another's differences rather than attempting to change each other by developing flexibility, problem solving and communication skills.
Strategies for better communication
Focus on the issue not the person
Understand and communicate your partner’s perspective
Find opportune time to talk about issues
Be mindful of your language and tone
Think in terms of what you can give, not just what you can take
Notice and say out loud what you appreciate about your partner
Use “I” statements
Seek to understand rather than being understood
Active listening
Balanced and Equally Yoked
Jason and Rachel appear to be equally yoked. Being equally yoked simply means sharing the same values and beliefs regardless of who raised you and according to the facilitator’s report both have a closeness with their families, assertiveness, self-confidence, low avoidance, and partner dominance. However, they don’t seem to be balanced in their relationship. There relationship don’t seem to be about them being equal partners and making sure that both are feeling comfortable and supported.
Examples of transformation or change
Transformational relationships are about giving the most you possibly can in attempts of helping one another. They’re about advancing other people’s goals in a synergistic and win-win way because clearly, you could do far more together than alone. In the case of Jason and Rachel examples of change could include, but not limited to:
Each individual focusing on change and getting better
Each individual not being selfish and making it about themselves
Being thoughtful, genuine, and truly loving the one you’re with
Trusting one another It welcomes ideas of change and encourages you to focus on what you can contribute to a change instead of what you will get out of it.
Differences making stronger or weaker
While similarities can be very positive and provide a solid foundation for a relationship, the differences are what impact and help shape your relationship in order for it to grow, change, and evolve. In the case of Jason and Rachel they seem to have aa lot of similarities such as their spiritual beliefs, sexual expectations, family/friends, and etc. In their case the good outweigh the bad in many categories, which makes them a Vitalized Couple type-most satisfied with their relationship, skilled in communication and conflict resolution. However, there were some significant differences in certain categories such as their communication sharing their feelings with one another 30% disagreement, conflict resolution feelings as though there conflicts never get resolved 60% disagreement, and relationship expectations questioning their love for one another 30% disagreement.
There are benefits to their differences such as having the opportunity to share their feelings and learning more about each other, by sharing these feelings or experiences they begin to appreciate one another, and lastly understanding and acknowledging that it is okay to be different it allows you to see each other through a new lens.
Unobvious inferences
Jason and Rachel have a good foundation for improving any growth areas and they have strong relationship skills that will help them work through differences. They have a great foundation to build upon.
Areas of Concentration
Communication: Rachel feels good about their communication scoring high where Jason feels good about their communication, but also have concerns about sharing feelings and active listening scoring average. Relationship Expectations: Both are not in agreement Rachel having unrealistic expectations and Jason having realistic expectations.
Established Goals for Therapy
Improving communication skills.
Building empathy and respect.
Learning effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
Strengthening connections, including intimacy.
Minimizing ineffective, threatening, unproductive communication patterns.
Reducing power struggles
Renewing commitment to the relationship
Multicultural considerations
In this case I would consider their family history both are close with their families however, Jasmine comes from a family that is very flexible (These families are generally open to change and somewhat loosely organized. Leadership and decision-making are shared, and roles and routines are adjusted as needed), which may explain why she sees their relationship as being strong in a lot of areas and the inability to be realistic about Jason’s perceived issues. On the other hand, Jason comes from a family that is flexible (These families maintain a balanced level of structure and organization. Leadership and decision-making are generally shared, and roles and routines are adjusted as needed), which may be why he has a more realistic approach about their issues and wants and need more structure in the relationship.
References:
Couples Report (n.d.). Prepare/Enrich Customized Version. Retrieved from https://learn-us-east-1-
prod-fleet01-xythos.s3.amazonaws.com/5c082f78d4ba4/7309032?response-cache-
control=private%2C%20max-age%3D21600&response-content-
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Facilitator's Report (n.d.). Prepare/Enrich Customized Version. Retrieved from https://learn-us-east-1-
prod-fleet01-xythos.s3.amazonaws.com/5c082f78d4ba4/7309033?response-cache-
control=private%2C%20max-age%3D21600&response-content-
disposition=inline%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%2
Prepare/Enrich (n.d.). Retrieved from https://learn-us-east-1-prod-fleet01-
xythos.s3.amazonaws.com/5c082f78d4ba4/7309036?response-cache-
control=private%2C%20max-age%3D21600&response-content-
disposition=inline%3B%20filename%2A%3DUTF-8%27%2
