You work as an in-house counselor for a utility company.  A male worker comes to you because he and his wife are having marital problems.  He doesn't want to seek outside therapy but wants to bring his wife in for a few sessions so you can "straighten her out."  They have three children (ages 5, 8 and 12).  She has recently gone back to work now that their youngest started kindergarten.  She is enjoying working, but he feels all the housework has been "dumped" on him to do.  They both feel stressed and unhappy.  They feel confused about their work and home roles and responsibilities, given the recent change in her work status.  You check with the company and find that they allow (and even expect) their in-house counselors to work with couples.  Therefore, you agree to start seeing both the husband and wife as long as the wife us a willing and voluntary participant.

1. What do you imagine are the major issues with which you would be faced?

2. What are some of the potential problems you might experience doing counseling in this setting?

3. How would demographic factors such as racial or ethnic group or socio-economic status affect your work with this couple?

4. What do you think may be "causing" some of the discord the couple is experiencing?

5. In what ways would you intervene to address issues of role strain?