Table 1 Issues to address in hand in hand couple sessions
Issues | Objective |
|---|---|
Couples’ sense of attachment-related security | The couple is supported in focusing on their relationship strengths and attachment security, and supported in creating new emotional experiences |
Level of individual emotional distress and needs | The couple is supported in verbalising their level of emotional distress and emotional needs, and feeling of attachment security |
Knowledge of and experiences with cancer | The couple is supported in sharing their knowledge about breast cancer and their previous experiences with cancer, and how they influence their current situation |
Psychological disorders | The couple is supported in verbalising present or previous psychological conditions, and if any, how they affect the couple in their current situation |
Former stress-full life events | The couple is supported in verbalising previous experiences of emotional distress and their individual and dyadic adjustment in these distressed situations and how they can use these experiences in their current situation |
Intimacy and sexual function | The couple is supported in verbalising needs and expectations related to intimacy and sexuality |
Other stressors | The couple is supported in verbalising other factors that may affect the couple emotionally such as children’s and grandchildren’s reactions, work situation for them both, other diseases, economy and so forth |