I've taken various family of origin members into sessions along the way. My parents refused to do family therapy when I was a teenager. Now, if a family member was out to visit they were going to therapy. For me it allowed my therapist to see more of the puzzle: yes, they are as nice and as giving as can be, I'm a square peg not fitting into their round hole with all the stink at the bottom. I'd been telling her about all the crap they covered up with expensive smelling perfumes.

My little brother was the last person I took, and it went well. Her chair was rolled close enough to me, and she would calm me by touching my knee or ankle when she thought I needed it. Also, I took 5-10 minutes at the end of session alone.

The last time I took my mom, I was a new mom, and felt I had to protect my mom from all the crap she caused me. Mom, just didn't get it.

I hope to fly to my childhood home this summer, and have a few extended therapy sessions with my dad (we've done this before when I was in college). The therapist is the same one my therapist used when she consulted on my case, so he knows a lot about us already. I'm in my mid fifties, and look forward to this encounter. This time is not with the expectation of my dad changing, but having another witness to say, "I see, hear and understand your story. And, despite all the beauty that most people see, I know it was difficult for you."