Since Scott is self-employed, his work often blends into the weekend. Andrea talked about wanting to spend more time together on the weekend as a couple or family. Typically Scott responded to Andrea’s request with, “But we have all these things.”

Andrea typically felt unheard when Scott made this comment. Andrea was appreciative of the lifestyle Scott helped to provide but just wanted more time with her husband. I encouraged Scott to stop making this automatic response when Andrea requested time together.

As they were working on their marriage, he also wanted to enjoy her company. Without his habitual response, they could now figure out how to schedule more time together and still have him tend to his business.