Relationships are not optional, they are at the center of life! Learning to develop and sustain positive, safe, relationships is critical to our health, growth and fulfillment.
Is communication an issue? Feeling disconnected? Are conflicts with your partner painful, are they handled with screaming, yelling, blaming, or by giving the cold shoulder? Worrying that your partner could leave you? Throwing the towel and thinking of settling for what is or even of leaving your partner?
Do you know that conflict, when handled appropriately, can result in greater intimacy. Couples therapy can empower you to communicate more effectively and work through disagreements. You can learn to handle your conflicts, to resolve past wounds with understanding and tenderness. What you are going through might be an opportunity for growth and change! You can learn to create a relational environment where the intimacy, trust and romance flourish.
Research shows that the average couple waits six years before seeking help for marital problems. Don’t wait. Seek help now. Scheduling an appointment with a qualified relational therapist is a courageous first step.
For your information:
John Gottman’s recommendations for Making Marriage Work:
(from http://www.gottman.com/marriage/self_help/)
- Learn more about each other’s worlds.
- Focus on the things you admire about the other person.
- Connect in small ways and engaging in “chit-chat”.
- Accept your partner’s influence.
- Solve solvable problems.
- Cope intelligently with unsolvable problems.
- Create your own culture with its own rich symbols and rituals.
- Learn to shed up!
- Refuse to accept hurtful behavior from one another.
- Learn to exit arguments and repair the situation.
