What follows is the introduction:

INTRODUCTION TO THE PRE-COUNSELING COUPLES INVENTORY

Most couples seek treatment due to difficulties in their relationship that have perpetuated over time and find that they can not be solved easily without help. Couples frequently come to a therapist because they have reached a breaking point that places their relationship/marriage in jeopardy. Other times, it could be one or the other partner who is threatening to leave the relationship if something is not done to "fix" the problems. There is often a break down in communication skills, trust and emotional/sexual intimacy, financial or employment stress or family/child problems.

Couples meet, stay together or have gotten married with the intention of being together for the rest of their lives. Breaking up or divorce is not what couples sign up for when they make a commitment to each other or get married. It is very important that each partner/spouse come to counseling with the intention of self examination and a willingness to look within themselves as far as how they have contributed and perpetuated the difficulties in the relationship. It is for this reason that I ask both partners or spouses to complete the Pre-Counseling Couples Inventory.

Each question is to be answered according to how you rate yourself only and not for your partner/spouse or as a couple. Please complete each question and rate your answer accordingly, based on an assessment of yourself and how you view your contribution to the difficulties you and your partner/spouse are experiencing. Please bring this with you to your first appointment.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this and I look forward to meeting you.

The inventory is here: http://www.joelbrookscounseling.com/...entory.en.html

Yeah or Nay? I think the inventory will help the couple focus on the problems as each perceives and the changes each believes would be beneficial.

As a person considering couples therapy, I took the survey for myself. I think the first thing the survey makes you realize is that if you are going to couples therapy, you are going to have to own your responsibility for your part of the problems. That is why the survey has you rate yourself and not your other half. The second thing it does is make you take an honest look at how you are doing in these areas. Then I also think it will allow the T. to see how honest the person is being with themselves. I am sure some people know their individual issues impact the marriage and just don't have the skills to make the changes and I am equally sure there are those people who believe it is all the other persons problem. So yes it is a beneficial tool.