How did Mary’s therapist view her husband's refusal to acknowledge her issues during therapy?

The therapist viewed Mary's husband's refusal to acknowledge her issues during therapy as a struggle for initiative. This perspective suggests that the husband may be having difficulty taking the necessary steps to engage in the therapeutic process and support Mary. In family therapy, a key component is the willingness of all parties to participate actively, acknowledge each other's feelings and experiences, and work collaboratively toward improvement.

When someone struggles with initiative, it often reflects deeper issues, such as fear of change or lack of motivation, inhibiting them from taking responsibility for their part in the relationship dynamics. This struggle can impact not just the therapeutic process itself but also the overall health of the relationship.

In contrast, seeing the husband's behavior as a lack of communication skills would imply a misunderstanding of the issue at hand, which is more about his reluctance to confront the problems rather than simply being unable to articulate them. Viewing it as defensiveness towards change focuses more on an emotional response to the therapy process, while emotional unavailability is about a broader inability to connect, which may encompass various issues beyond the immediate context of their therapeutic discussions. The notion of initiative captures the essence of what is lacking in his participation in addressing Mary's concerns effectively.