#!/usr/bin/env python3 """ Pixelated Empathy — Couples & Family Therapy Session Generator Fills Gap 5: couples and family therapy sessions. 7 topics × 50 sessions = 350 sessions total. 2-3 family members per session. Multi-patient format. Vary turns 12-20. Naturalistic turn-taking. Usage: python generate_couples_sessions.py [--categories all] [--sessions-per-category 50] [--resume] """ from session_base_multi import run_multi_generation CATEGORIES = { "communication_breakdown": { "name": "Communication Breakdown", "difficulty": "medium", "presentations": [ "pursuer-withdrawer cycle — one partner wants to talk, the other shuts down, pattern locked in", "escalation spiral — small disagreement becomes huge fight, neither knows how it happened", "stonewalling and contempt — Gottman's four horsemen present, couple wants to break the pattern", "silent treatment patterns — one partner stops talking for days after conflict, other walks on eggshells", "meta-communication — couple argues about how they argue, can't get to the actual issue", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Alex", "age": "32", "gender": "female", "occupation": "marketing director", "presenting": "Wants to talk about everything immediately, feels shut out when partner withdraws", }, { "name": "Ryan", "age": "34", "gender": "male", "occupation": "software engineer", "presenting": "Shuts down when conflict starts, feels overwhelmed, needs space but doesn't know how to ask", }, ], [ { "name": "Priya", "age": "38", "gender": "female", "occupation": "doctor", "presenting": "Every small disagreement becomes a huge fight, exhausted from the cycle", }, { "name": "James", "age": "40", "gender": "male", "occupation": "architect", "presenting": "Doesn't understand how small things escalate, defensive when blamed for the pattern", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "Gottman method — identify and interrupt the four horsemen (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling)", "soft start-up — teach the pursuer to raise issues gently instead of with criticism", "repair attempts — teach couples to make and receive repair attempts during conflict", "speaker-listener technique — structured turn-taking, one speaks at a time", "de-escalation — slow down the interaction, breathe, name the pattern", "underlying feelings — get beneath the surface conflict to the vulnerable feelings underneath", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with couples using Gottman and EFT approaches. You don't take sides. You identify " "negative cycles (pursuer-withdrawer, attack-defend) and help both partners see the pattern, " "not just each other's behavior. You create safety for both — the pursuer who feels abandoned " "AND the withdrawer who feels overwhelmed. You slow down escalations and teach concrete " "communication skills in the room." ), }, "infidelity_rebuilding": { "name": "Infidelity & Trust Rebuilding", "difficulty": "high", "presentations": [ "discovery aftermath — affair just discovered, couple in crisis, raw emotion, therapist contains", "disclosure process — partner wants more details, affair partner doesn't want to share, therapist mediates", "trust rebuilding — months out, trying to rebuild, triggers keep happening, patience running thin", "ambivalence about staying — hurt partner not sure they want to stay, affair partner desperate to fix", "relapse of trust — small lie discovered, triggers affair wound, couple questions whether trust is possible", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Emma", "age": "34", "gender": "female", "occupation": "teacher", "presenting": "Discovered husband's affair 2 weeks ago, can't eat or sleep, alternating between rage and grief", }, { "name": "Mark", "age": "36", "gender": "male", "occupation": "sales manager", "presenting": "Had a 3-month affair, ended it, wants to save marriage, doesn't know how to help Emma", }, ], [ { "name": "Sophia", "age": "41", "gender": "female", "occupation": "lawyer", "presenting": "Husband's affair was 6 months ago, trying to rebuild but every small thing triggers her", }, { "name": "Daniel", "age": "43", "gender": "male", "occupation": "finance executive", "presenting": "Patient with triggers but getting frustrated, questions if this will ever end, guilt and frustration coexist", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "Gottman trust rebuilding — structured process: atonement, attunement, attachment", "disclosure facilitation — help couple navigate what details to share, avoid re-traumatizing", "trigger management — identify triggers, develop coping strategies, normalize the recovery timeline", "empathy building — help affair partner understand the impact, move from defensiveness to empathy", "relationship audit — explore what was missing in the relationship without blaming the hurt partner", "forgiveness process — explore what forgiveness means, distinguish from forgetting or excusing", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with couples healing from infidelity using the Gottman trust rebuilding framework. " "You hold both partners' pain — the betrayed partner's shattered trust AND the affair partner's " "guilt and fear. You never blame the betrayed partner for the affair. You help the affair partner " "move from defensiveness to empathy. You normalize the long timeline of trust rebuilding. " "You contain the raw emotion while allowing processing. Safety and pacing are paramount." ), }, "parenting_conflict": { "name": "Parenting Conflict", "difficulty": "medium", "presentations": [ "inconsistent discipline — parents disagree on rules, kids play them against each other, need unified front", "blended family challenges — stepparent wants authority, bio parent protective, kids caught in middle", "screen time wars — one parent permissive, other strict, kids exploit the gap, couple can't agree", "teenage rebellion response — parents disagree on how to handle teen's behavior, one too strict one too lenient", "attachment differences — one parent helicopter, other distant, kids receiving mixed signals", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Jen", "age": "35", "gender": "female", "occupation": "graphic designer", "presenting": "Wants gentle parenting, husband is strict, kids get away with things when she handles it", }, { "name": "Mike", "age": "37", "gender": "male", "occupation": "police officer", "presenting": "Thinks kids need discipline, wife is too soft, feels undermined as a parent", }, ], [ { "name": "Rachel", "age": "40", "gender": "female", "occupation": "nurse", "presenting": "Stepparent to 2 kids, trying to build relationship but kids reject her, bio dad doesn't enforce respect", }, { "name": "Tom", "age": "44", "gender": "male", "occupation": "electrician", "presenting": "Protective of kids after divorce, feels caught between new wife and kids, doesn't want to force them", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "co-parenting framework — establish shared rules, clear roles, united front", "blended family integration — validate children's loyalty conflicts, build step-relationship at child's pace", "parenting style assessment — identify each parent's style, find middle ground", "circular questioning — explore how each parent's behavior affects the other and the kids", "unified boundary setting — help couple agree on core rules and present them as a team", "attachment-focused parenting — explore parents' own attachment histories and how they drive parenting", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with parents on co-parenting and blended family dynamics. You don't take sides or " "label one parent 'right.' You help them find middle ground and present a unified front. " "You prioritize children's well-being while validating both parents' perspectives. You " "understand blended family complexity — loyalty conflicts, step-parent roles, bio-parent guilt. " "You explore how parents' own upbringings drive their parenting choices." ), }, "family_divorce_transition": { "name": "Divorce & Family Transition", "difficulty": "medium-high", "presentations": [ "telling the children — couple needs to tell kids about divorce, wants to do it well, scared of damage", "co-parenting after divorce — separated, struggling to co-parent, kids in the middle, communication hostile", "blended family formation — new partner being introduced, kids resistant, ex-spouse interfering", "parallel parenting — high-conflict divorce, minimal contact needed, therapist helps structure parallel parenting", "rebuilding after divorce — individual therapy needs surface in family session, grief and identity", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Karen", "age": "38", "gender": "female", "occupation": "teacher", "presenting": "Initiated divorce, husband moved out, needs to tell kids (8 and 11), wants to minimize damage", }, { "name": "Brian", "age": "40", "gender": "male", "occupation": "mechanic", "presenting": "Didn't want divorce, trying to co-parent, hurt and angry, struggling to be civil", }, ], [ { "name": "Lisa", "age": "36", "gender": "female", "occupation": "social worker", "presenting": "Divorced 2 years, ex won't follow schedule, kids confused, she's exhausted", }, { "name": "David", "age": "39", "gender": "male", "occupation": "contractor", "presenting": "Feels alienated from kids, ex controls access, angry and desperate", }, { "name": "Emma", "age": "13", "gender": "female", "occupation": "student", "presenting": "Caught between parents, feels responsible for their fighting, wants everyone to stop", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "divorce coaching — structured plan for telling children, age-appropriate language", "co-parenting protocol — establish communication rules, custody logistics, boundary setting", "children's voice — create space for children's feelings without putting them in the middle", "parallel parenting structure — minimize direct contact, use written communication, separate routines", "grief processing — validate loss of family unit, allow each member's grief at their pace", "rebuilding identity — support each member in finding who they are in the new family structure", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with families navigating divorce and restructuring. You prioritize children's well-being " "above parental conflict. You help co-parents communicate without the relationship baggage. " "You give children a voice without making them responsible for parent conflicts. You understand " "that divorce is grief for everyone, even the one who initiated. You don't take sides in " "the divorce — you support the family system through the transition." ), }, "inlaw_family_boundaries": { "name": "In-Law & Extended Family Boundaries", "difficulty": "medium", "presentations": [ "mother-in-law boundary violations — MIL drops by unannounced, criticizes parenting, partner won't set boundary", "cultural family expectations — extended family expects involvement in decisions, couple needs privacy", "enmeshed family of origin — partner too close to their family, couple identity doesn't feel separate", "grandparent favoritism — grandparents favor one child or one side, causing resentment", "holiday wars — competing family demands during holidays, couple exhausted from pleasing everyone", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Ashley", "age": "29", "gender": "female", "occupation": "nurse", "presenting": "Mother-in-law shows up unannounced, criticizes her cooking and parenting, husband won't say anything", }, { "name": "Kevin", "age": "31", "gender": "male", "occupation": "accountant", "presenting": "Loves his mom, doesn't want to hurt her, feels caught between wife and mother, avoids the conflict", }, ], [ { "name": "Mei", "age": "33", "gender": "female", "occupation": "pharmacist", "presenting": "Her parents expect to be involved in every decision, partner feels excluded from the family unit", }, { "name": "James", "age": "35", "gender": "male", "occupation": "teacher", "presenting": "Feels like he married the whole family, not just Mei, struggling to be a priority", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "boundary mapping — identify where boundaries are needed, who enforces them, what the consequence is", "differentiation of self — help enmeshed partner distinguish family obligations from couple priorities", "cultural framework — explore cultural expectations about family involvement without pathologizing", "united front building — help couple agree on boundaries and enforce them together", "communication scripts — practice what to say to family members, rehearse difficult conversations", "enmeshment assessment — distinguish healthy closeness from enmeshment that undermines the couple", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with couples on extended family boundaries. You understand cultural differences in " "family involvement — you don't assume independence is the goal for all families. You help " "the couple define their own boundary norms. You support the partner caught between spouse " "and family without shaming them for loyalty. You help set boundaries that preserve " "relationships where possible while protecting the couple's autonomy." ), }, "sibling_family_conflict": { "name": "Sibling & Adult Family Conflict", "difficulty": "medium", "presentations": [ "elder care dispute — siblings disagree on caring for aging parent, old rivalries resurface", "estate division — parent died, siblings fighting over inheritance, grief complicated by money", "estranged siblings — one sibling cut off the other, family pressure to reconcile, both defensive", "parental favoritism — adult children processing childhood favoritism, family gathering triggered wounds", "family business conflict — siblings in family business, power dynamics, old roles reasserting", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Sarah", "age": "42", "gender": "female", "occupation": "teacher", "presenting": "Doing all elder care for mother, siblings don't help but criticize, resentment building", }, { "name": "Mark", "age": "45", "gender": "male", "occupation": "business owner", "presenting": "Lives far away, sends money but feels excluded from decisions, defensive about not being there", }, { "name": "Lisa", "age": "38", "gender": "female", "occupation": "nurse", "presenting": "Visits weekly, critical of Sarah's care, thinks she knows better, old dynamic from childhood", }, ], [ { "name": "James", "age": "35", "gender": "male", "occupation": "software engineer", "presenting": "Estranged from sister for 5 years, mom died, forced to interact, old wounds raw", }, { "name": "Rachel", "age": "33", "gender": "female", "occupation": "marketing manager", "presenting": "Cut James off after he borrowed money and never repaid, feels judged by family for the estrangement", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "family systems — identify roles (caregiver, distant one, critic), explore how they formed", "sibling differentiation — help siblings see each other as adults, not childhood roles", "grief and anger separation — untangle grief about parent from anger at siblings", "mediation — facilitate difficult conversations, ensure all voices heard, find compromises", "boundary setting in family — establish adult boundaries with parents and siblings", "narrative reframing — help family tell a shared story that includes everyone's perspective", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with adult siblings and family systems. You understand that childhood dynamics persist " "into adulthood and resurface during crises. You help siblings see each other as adults, not " "the childhood roles they've been locked into. You don't take sides in sibling conflicts. " "You explore the family system that created the dynamic without assigning blame. You hold " "space for grief and anger simultaneously." ), }, "intimacy_distance": { "name": "Intimacy & Emotional Distance", "difficulty": "medium", "presentations": [ "emotional withdrawal — partner has emotionally checked out, other partner lonely in the marriage", "sexual intimacy loss — no physical intimacy for months/years, both want it back but feel stuck", "life transition drift — had kids, jobs changed, drifted apart, love each other but feel like roommates", "avoidance patterns — one partner avoids difficult conversations by staying busy, other feels shut out", "attachment style conflict — anxious + avoidant pairing triggering each other's core wounds", ], "persona_sets": [ [ { "name": "Emily", "age": "36", "gender": "female", "occupation": "physical therapist", "presenting": "Husband works all the time, no emotional connection, lonely in the marriage for 2 years", }, { "name": "Chris", "age": "38", "gender": "male", "occupation": "lawyer", "presenting": "Knows he's withdrawn, feels overwhelmed by work and kids, doesn't know how to reconnect, feels like a failure", }, ], [ { "name": "Maya", "age": "30", "gender": "female", "occupation": "social worker", "presenting": "Anxious attachment, needs constant reassurance, partner's independence feels like rejection", }, { "name": "David", "age": "32", "gender": "male", "occupation": "graphic designer", "presenting": "Avoidant attachment, feels smothered by partner's needs, withdraws when she gets close, fears engulfment", }, ], ], "therapist_techniques": [ "EFT cycle identification — identify the pursue-withdraw cycle, help couple see the pattern", "attachment exploration — explore each partner's attachment style and how it drives the dance", "emotional accessibility — help withdrawn partner identify and express emotions", "intimacy rebuilding — structured activities to rebuild emotional and physical connection", "vulnerability coaching — help both partners share fears underneath the protective behavior", "differentiation work — distinguish 'I need space' from 'I don't love you' — space without abandonment", ], "therapist_prompt_addon": ( "You work with couples using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). You identify the negative cycle " "— usually a pursue-withdraw dance — and help both partners see the pattern, not just each other. " "You understand attachment styles and how they interact. You create safety for the withdrawn " "partner to emerge AND the pursuing partner to slow down. You explore the vulnerable feelings " "beneath the protective behaviors. You don't rush toward behavioral solutions — you work " "at the emotional level." ), }, } def main(): run_multi_generation( categories_dict=CATEGORIES, output_dir="data/couples_sessions", output_filename="couples_sessions.jsonl", session_id_prefix="couples", source_family="couples_family_therapy", default_sessions_per_category=50, description="Couples & Family Therapy Session Generation", min_turns=12, max_turns=20, turn_pattern="naturalistic", ) if __name__ == "__main__": main()