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Catherine, 40-year-old, has been together with Gary, 45-year-old, for more than 6 years. They have been discussing to buy a condominium and decided to go for house viewings. Gary has started to discuss marriage plans with Catherine. However, Catherine is feeling unsure and stressed. She has been with Gary for years, but she does not know if he is “the one” she wants to spend her entire life with. The more Gary raises the topic, the more Catherine feels trapped.
Catherine’s parents divorced when she was 11. She witnessed plenty of fights between her parents. There were occasions where she and her siblings (James- 9 at the time and Janet, 6) had to huddle together in their bedroom because of the fights. For Catherine, life was much tougher after her parents divorced – her mom had to work two jobs and is always exhausted.
Catherine is afraid that she will end up in the same situation as her mother. She knows that it is irrational, but the fear is affecting her present relationship. She does not know what to do.
There are many interventions of treatment. Can you think of one? What information do you require? How do you plan to work with Catherine?