One of the often-ignored dimensions of problems is that we rarely, as therapists, are
in “Act 1, Scene 1” of someone’s drama. They come with long-standing issues that
have often gone through various changes and morphed into something worse. The
more specific you get, the more likely you’ll attract consumers of the noise in
self-help land.
1. Ruminators and resentment for days
2. How to prevent expected drama/problem
3. How to act less wild/hot in the predictable/chronic moments
4. How to be more assertive in the predictable/chronic moments
5. Letting it go (whether it happened in the past or will continue)
6. I’ve allowed X to go on for years, but NOW I want change…
7. X is new, and I don’t know how to stop it before it becomes a pattern
8. My spare time is now limited, and (family/spouse) won’t step up
9. Big mismatch in the sense of time driving me up a wall (with partner, kids, parents)