I am confident that you can make a choice without

you in making choices that you feel good about. I am confident that you can make a choice
without allowing me or anyone to make you feel some type of way. I know it must be hard
considering it is you mother. (Empathy; Positive Regards)
Client comment 3: "I only came along because my wife made me. I just didn't want to listen to
her continuing to nag. Counseling is stupid, and I don't believe it will help me at all!"
Counselor Response 3: I understand that you don’t want to be here; and that you get irritate
with her (wife) as she continues to talk. I hear you saying that you don’t feel that counseling will
help your marriage. I hope that I can encourage you to see counseling in a different way that will
be hopeful for your marriage. I believe that you can leave here with tools that will help you and
your wife and perhaps she will understand how to communicate with you and you with her. And,
I hope that eventually you will be willing to come to counseling without being made to do so and
see the process as helpful. I know I don’t like being told what to do; and surely I don’t want to
hear my spouse nagging me. (Genuineness; Positive Regards).
Client comment 4: "I'm going to school, I have a job, and I'm taking care of two kids and trying
to make time for my husband. Most days, I don't even know where to begin."
Counselor Response 4: So, you feel like you don’t have time for yourself after taking care of
the family. It seems like you are feeling stressed out. That sounds exhausting. It sounds like part
of you is doing for others and you feel like someone should pamper you. I wonder what it would

be like if the family took care of you; it must be frustrating not being able to have energy for self.