Communication'
An effective decision-making model for couples
Making decisions is a hard process for individuals and even harder for couples. The mass of information, possibilities, hazards and potential outcomes are difficult enough for any person to sort out. Adding personality variances of pairs [...]
Making love last
Some people believe that good relationships are a fortunate state – not an earned one. Others acknowledge the needed efforts to maintain couple’s happiness and state that they are “working on their relationship”. How can couples [...]
Do electronic communications enhance or detract from personal connection?
The explosion of electronic communication through email, texting and social networking has rewarded humans’ interpersonal and emotional needs. It surely pleases us to be responded to quickly and reassures us that we matter to others. Yet, [...]
Use your words wisely for marital harmony
How couples express themselves, particularly during stressful or conflict-laden times, can make a great difference as to the outcome of their disagreements and the strength of their bond. The use of inflammatory words as a contributor [...]
How to compromise in your love relationship
It is common knowledge that every relationship requires compromises. Yet, some see it as an art form, which can be personal, abstract, intuitive or innate. Actually, knowing how to compromise healthily is a skill that can [...]
Why saying “I’m sorry” is not enough
Everyone makes mistakes in life and in interpersonal relationships, many of which require apologies and redress. Yet, it is very hard for many people to say “I’m sorry” and even when they do it may be [...]
How to best communicate with your physician
The relationship between patients and their physicians seem superficially very clear. The patient hires the physician to manage his/her health for a fee. In actuality, this relationship is much more complex. Physicians want to be respected [...]
Respectful communication rules
Many conflicts between mates occur as a result of poorly phrased sentences. Sometimes innocent and even well intentioned communications are poorly received due to common languaging errors. Most people expect to be treated by their mates [...]
“Let’s talk”- The joyous and dreaded words
Perhaps the most taxing sentence in women’s conversation with men begins with, “We need to talk.” Women see it as an invitation for closeness, men view it as a potential set up for emotional discomfort. Men’s [...]
Selfless listening is a key to couple’s intimacy
Conflict between mates occurs when one or both feel unheard by the other. It is a common occurrence in human miscommunication. Yet, there is a simple way to prevent defensiveness, hurt and misunderstanding in dialoguing with [...]
Is lying effective in the preservation of your relationship?
Being able to rely on the veracity of your partner’s word is an essential tenet of a secure relationship. Truthfulness breeds security that enables intimacy to flourish. Conversely, doubting the truthfulness of a partner’s messages contributes [...]
Avoid words that hurt – Communicate well
Couples and many other people speak with frustration about their communication difficulties. Having one’s words be misunderstood, misinterpreted, resisted or taken as offensive is exasperating. In verbal exchanges, as in any other sound transmission, a failed [...]
How to increase understanding when talking with your partner
Being heard and understood not only facilitates communication between mates but is also a deeply affirming and satisfying experience. Yet, comprehending each other is not as simple as it may appear. Numerous small, and at times [...]
The benefits of being grateful
Gratitude is the core emotion of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Once a year we designate a celebration focused on appreciating what we have and sharing our blessings with others. Regrettably, gratitude is not practiced more commonly on [...]
Is bartering helpful in relationship negotiations?
All relationships require good communication and negotiating skills. Couples who can express and hear each other well and negotiate in good will often have better and closer connection. Yet, not all problem-solving methods are created equal [...]
How to best share your emotions with your mate
Some people are aware of their feelings and easily express them. Others rarely speak of their emotions and are not easily prodded to do so. A union between an emotionally expressive mate and a non-expressive one [...]
Not being ‘in love’- is it an end or a beginning?
Some disenchanted partners confront their mate during marital counseling by saying: “I love you – but I am not in love with you”. They often use this declaration when they feel that their union is in [...]
Reducing defensiveness improves your relationship
Defensiveness is a fear-based reaction intended to protect the individual from perceived threats – yet it often creates great interpersonal difficulties. Being in a relationship with a person who is defensive is challenging. Both partners can [...]
How to support your partner’s emotional discomfort
It is often frustrating to have a mate be uncomfortable with a suggestion you made. Are partners who feel ill at ease with certain ideas or activities just being difficult or do their objections reflect a [...]
Personal defensiveness damages couples’ communication
A common conversational malfunction in couples involves blaming and defensiveness. One partner accuses, blames and criticizes and the other reacts with defensive dismissal of culpability. Both behaviors originate from the same source of needing to be [...]
