As we navigate through the delicate waters of couple sessions; the following etiquette is the compass that keeps the sessions on course. Please take a minute to review the ship guidelines prior to your boarding. We want to ensure a safe and enjoyable voyage. Thanks for cruising with THCC. Enjoy your journey!  

Session Etiquette is simply about respecting your partner boundaries

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1. Session Start: Sessions begin once both partners have arrived, unless it's an individual counseling session

2. Emotional Grounding: Partners should try to ground themselves during the counseling session, as emotions may run high.( anger outburst are unacceptable and considered as verbal abuse). 

3. Use "I" Statements: Clients should use "I" statements and avoid blaming, fault-finding, excuses, or justifying their contributions to incidents.

4. Listen Without Interrupting: Allow others to speak by listening without interrupting.

5. Equal Speaking Time: It may seem like one partner talks more, but everyone will get equal speaking time.

6.  No Negative Behavior: No name-calling, put-downs, threats, or intimidation. 

7. Confidentiality: Sessions are strictly confidential. However, anything discussed in an individual session can be brought up in a joint session. 

8. Safety Focus: If the emotional or physical safety of children or partners is in question, that will be the focus of the session.

9. Respect Privacy: Using conversations from counseling sessions as ammunition in later arguments is harmful. 

10. Post-Session Projects: Guided post-session projects enhance your experience. Complete assignments before the next session. 

11. Take Responsibility:

    • Assume responsibility for your contributions without nagging, excuses, or blaming. 

    • Genuinely apologize when needed.

    • Work on what you can do to make amends or restitution where appropriate. 

12.  Avoid Obsessing: 

    • Avoid ruminating, building up anger, or feeling sorry for yourself.

    • Take responsibility that obsessing does nothing to solve the problem.

    • Ruminating contributes to anger, resentment, rage, and self-pity. 

    • Instead of blaming, invite and encourage your partner to resolve issues together. 

13. Share Your Willingness: Share what you’re willing to do to improve the situation, not what your partner isn’t doing. 

14. Ask for Needs: 

    • Avoid assuming your partner should know your needs. 

    • Ask positively and specifically for what you need or want—accept if your partner is not willing or ready to help at this time. 

    • Respect your partner’s feelings and emotions in the moment.

15.  Partner’s Needs:

    • Find out what your partner needs to work on your requests. 

    • Express sincerely what you can do to help your partner. 

    • If unable to help, state this without blaming, sarcasm, or defensive criticism.

    • Ask assertively, with respect and consideration for your partner.

16.     Appreciate Efforts: 

    • Express appreciation for your partner’s efforts sincerely.

    • Avoid sabotaging acknowledgment with yes-buts, sarcasm, or digs about past behaviors.