Strangers in the Villa

THERAPY PROGRESS NOTES—SESSION 1

Sydney Cleary and Curtis Lowe, Couples’ Counseling Session

Ellen Dwyer, Psychologist, PsyD

Curtis is open and vocal about his love for his wife and his desire to save the marriage. He’ll need to be patient with Sydney. Before she can even try to forgive, she needs to know that Curtis understands the pain he has caused her and the damage he has done.

Curtis admitted the affair to his wife. Why?

He claims he couldn’t bear to lie to her, but was he fearful of getting caught?

Curtis may have been trying to get ahead of it so he could control the narrative.

Or was it an effort to assuage his own guilt?

Curtis seems to consider his admission to be proof of his devotion to Sydney. She doesn’t appear to see it that way.