Relationship Counselling - Sons and Their Mothers

Young men trying to resolve traumatic experiences and relationship issues with their mothers is not an area that has attracted a great deal of attention, and yet it is not uncommon. Peter is 28, still living at home and feeling 'like I just don't have a life I can call my own.' As he tries to remedy this, the reaction he gets is ""So, where have you been?"; "What time do you call this?"; "I've been worrying about you" ;"You said you'd be back before now." Any pleasure from his evening melts away and he wonders why on earth is he still in the same house as her. This book uses fictitious dialogue to enable readers to experience the struggle of a young man trying to break free from the damaging and dominating influence of his mother. It contains both counselling sessions and supervision sessions, inviting the reader to step into the therapeutic process and experience Peter (the client) as he struggles to create a life for himself, Michael (his counsellor) seeking to offer and maintain the therapeutic conditions of congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard, and Suzy (Michael's supervisor). Practical advice, reflections on the counselling process, helpful summaries and points for discussion are highlighted throughout. Counsellors, trainees, supervisors and other health and social care professionals dealing with relationships will find this book valuable reading. Men who have encountered difficult relationships with their mothers are also likely to gain greater insight and find support through reading this book.

Introduction. Counselling session 1 - beginnings and introductions. Counselling session 2 - 'seen and not heard'. Counselling session 3 - 'I'm wondering if counselling is really right for me?'. Counselling session 4 - reactions to his father's death. Supervision 1. Counselling session 5 - discomfort within the therapeutic relationship. Counselling session 6 - cancelled appointment. Counselling session 7 - a memory surfaces, 'can I have a drink of water?'. Supervision 2. Counselling session 8 - 'why didn't she love me' and cathartic release. Counselling session 9 - 'what is love?', and the client reacts to questioning. Counselling session 10 - learning to feel loved. Supervision 3. Counselling session 11 - a night in the cells, time to move on. Counselling session 12 - the truth revealed, Peter is left confused. Peter reflects on his experience so far. Michael reflects on his experience as Peter's counselor.