The First Interview

Analysis of the demand and the problem presented

The therapeutic process inevitably begins with an initial assessment phase, designed for the professional to introduce himself individually to each member and allow the couple to expose their difficulties. This first contact is critical in determining the appropriateness of joint therapy.

Not all couples are suitable for this format; it is necessary to analyze whether they are really seeking to repair the relationship or whether there are hidden agendas that require another type of intervention.

During this stage, the therapist should ask key internal questions while listening to the client's story: How do the dynamics of this dyad operate? How is the problem they verbalize connected to their systemic functioning? What resources do they have to implement changes? It is essential to distinguish between the "problem presented" (the superficial complaint, such as arguments over cleanliness) and the underlying or latent conflict (such as a power struggle or lack of validation).

This distinction makes it possible to mentally map out the changes needed to improve the situation.

Active listening and initial validation

The main tool in this phase is active listening, which differs radically from social listening.

Instead of listening to respond or share an anecdote of one's own, the therapist listens to deeply understand and "really listen."

This requires full and strenuous attention, processing not only words, but emotions and nonverbal language.

It is vital to resist the urge to fill silences; pausing allows information to be digested and a reflective rather than reactive response to be offered.

To demonstrate this commitment, "minimal encouragers" (brief sounds or words that invite you to continue) and clarifying questions are used.

The goal is for clients to feel not just heard, but fully understood.

Managing the individual perspective in the system

Although the patient is the relationship, the partnership is built by validating each individual's experience.

Couples often arrive with a narrative of blame, pointing to the other as the source of discomfort.

In this initial phase, it is crucial to allow each to express his or her view of the problem without being interrupted, capturing his or her unique perspective.

This fosters safety within the therapeutic system; if one member feels that his or her pain has not registered, he or she will not engage with the process.

The therapist must balance the attention, ensuring that both feel they have legitimate space.

By actively listening to individual complaints, the practitioner does not necessarily validate the objective facts, but the emotional reality of the speaker.

This lays the groundwork for later transforming the view of "individual culprits" to a view of shared responsibility in the relational dynamic.

Summary

The therapeutic process begins with an assessment to introduce each partner and allow the couple to expose their difficulties. It is critical to determine if they are truly seeking to repair the relationship.

The therapist identifies the dynamics of the dyad, the resources available, and distinguishes between the surface problem presented and the underlying latent conflict. This maps out the necessary map.

Through active listening, individual experience is validated by capturing unique perspectives. The practitioner balances attention by ensuring that both feel a sense of legitimate space during the sessions.