I recently started seeing Greg and Cara in couples counseling and was talking with Cara’s individual therapist. The therapist reported that Cara was concerned about Greg being on his best behavior in couples counseling.

I shared with the therapist that I want Greg to be on his best behavior—at least he knows what that looks like. The challenge is for Greg to be on his best behavior in between sessions and eventually in perpetuity. 

When Greg is on his best behavior in couples counseling, they are usually talking about their most challenging marital issues. This gives Greg and the couple a better chance with more manageable issues in between sessions. We also want the new behaviors to become so ingrained that there is no going back to old behaviors that no longer work. Our goal is for Greg to be on his best behavior all the time.