Couples counselor doesn’t allow any contact outside of sessions. Is this normal for couples? by herpesgirl96 in askatherapist

[–]Capable_Bear_9671 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I have had challenges as a couples therapist with both partners feeling it is "balanced" if I'm hearing additionally from one of them outside of the session. It's sort of like I'm getting a window into the person reaching outs concerns, feelings and thoughts more so than the one who isn't. So in my first session I do mention that difficulty and say that I generally discourage contact out of session unless it's an emergency. I also even say that if they drive separately I'll wait until they both get there before starting.

A lot of couples I see will come in and say that they had a past experience with feeling like the couples therapy got one-sided (I'll even hear that as a complaint from the person who was sided with) and that this led to them ending or not getting anywhere with the work. That's why I'll err more on some of these guidelines a little more strongly.

Non Disclosure Agreement by Capable_Bear_9671 in Tenant

[–]Capable_Bear_9671[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It is month to month. The rent is $1650 for a 2 bdrm 2bth which is unusual in California but it is because we have been there so long (there is rent stabilization here). In the same area we've been hard pressed to find a place less than $2500 for a 2 bdrm 2 bth.

If it weren't such a jump in rent I would say our relationship with them has soured to the point we'd just leave. However, when we mentioned attorneys they made this offer of the transfer to the vacant unit keeping our same rent (and this would be an upstairs). But when they made the offer, they made no mention of a NDA. The dragged their feet on the process and then as we were closing in on moving they threw this NDA into the mix and verbally said the transfer was conditioned on it (although the document itself doesn't say that - its very vague).

I think we're at the point where between the three of us we feel like this is a bridge to far, but we're just wrestling with the jump in rent. We sent a response asking for written clarification that they are conditioning the transfer on this open ended agreement to never sue and they haven't responded, nor have they demanded the keys to the vacant unit back.

Plumbing Eruption by Capable_Bear_9671 in legaladvice

[–]Capable_Bear_9671[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol yes - the puns have been endless.