Therapist: 

I'm very curious about what's going on with you.  What do you see as your reason for your coming in to talk with me today?

Client: 

Well, I see myself as a loser.  I can't seem to accomplish anything and my husband says he wants a divorce because I just sit around all day doing nothing.  I just don't see any way out of this whole mess.

Therapist: 

What makes you see yourself as a loser?

Client: 

I can't get anything done, my husband hates me, I'm lazy.  I'm just a loser.

Therapist: 

So you've accomplished nothing at all in, say, the last month.

Client: 

Nothing.

Therapist: 

Wow, that's really hard to believe.  Why don't you rethink that answer and look at some of the things you have accomplished.

Client: 

Like what?

Therapist: 

Start with the basics.  Today you showered, you ate breakfast, you got the kids ready for school.

Client: 

So?

Therapist: 

So that's a little more than nothing isn't it?

Client: 

I guess.  But I still feel like...

Therapist: 

Hold on a second.  Why are you negating the fact that you accomplished something today.

Client: 

Because it's not enough for my husband.

Therapist: 

This is about you though.  Do you think you accomplished something today?

Client: 

Yes.

Therapist: 

How does it feel to know you are at least taking care of your basic needs and seeing that your children are getting their needs met.

Client: 

I guess it feels good.

Therapist: 

You guess?

Client: 

No, it does, it could be a lot worse, I really could be doing nothing.

Therapist: 

But you're doing something?

Client: 

Yes, I'm not a total loser.  Maybe I need to talk with my husband about this.  He thinks I sit around all day and watch soaps.  But I clean, cook his dinner, take care of the kids.  

Therapist: 

So perhaps the two of you need to find some middle ground

Client: 

Exactly, I know I'm not perfect and maybe I could do more, but he needs to see what I do do rather than just what I don't.  I think we are going to have a heart to heart talk tonight.