es such by the manner or speech moreso than by professional or verbal credentials (p. 200).
In terms of a general outline of how therapy should be conducted, the counselor should always approach the initial session with reserve. Often the first session will involve only empathetic listening on the part of the counselor. What the counselor must determine is the couple's level of commitment to the marriage. This assessment must be made over a period of time: " . . . many times we will hear what sounds like the death knell of a marriage during the first session, only to find after a session or two that there is, after all, a clear commitment to the marriage" (Friesen & Friesen, 1989, p. 10).
Friesen & Friesen (1989) use a four-point rating scale to determine the level of commitment of couples seeking marriage counseling (p. 11). These four points are: (1) commitment, love, but problems, (2) commitment, neutral feelings, and problems, (3) noncommitment, neutral feelings, open to growth, and (4) noncommitment, negative feelings, closed to growth. These commitmen
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