Table of Contents
Introduction
Issue 1: “My Partner Doesn’t Listen to Me”
Fast-Food Communication
“I” Statements
Sounding Board vs. Feedback
Issue 2: “We Are Constantly Arguing!”
Time-Outs
Who Is More Emotionally Invested?
Assuming Positive Intentions
Issue 3: “We Don’t Make Time for Each Other”
Date Nights and Scheduling
Quick Partner Connections
Exploring the Resistance
Issue 4: “We Don’t Have Sex Anymore”
Looking at Resentments
Sensate Focus Therapy
Setting the Scene
Issue 5: “I Don’t Feel in Love with My Partner Anymore”
The Continuum of Long-Term Relationships
Love Letters
Understanding Your Connection Style
Issue 6: “I Do so Many More Chores!”
Chore Chart
Appreciating Your Partner
Becoming Teammates
Issue 7: “We Can’t Trust Each Other after Infidelity”
Starting the Forgiveness Process
Grieving and Renewing Your Commitment
Understanding the Affair and Setting Boundaries
Issue 8: “We Are too Culturally Different”
Learning about Culture
Incorporating Traditions
Having Fun Experiencing a Partner’s Culture
Issue 9: “We Spend Money Differently”
Setting Financial Goals
Generating a Budget
Creating an Emotional Inventory
Issue 10: “My Partner or I Have an Addiction”
Understanding Addiction
Planning for Recovery
Identifying Your Negative Voice
Issue 11: “Things Are Different since We Had Kids”
Experiencing the Before
Setting Up for Success
Division of Child Responsibilities
Issue 12: “I Don’t Feel Respected by My Partner”
BISECT: A Way to Show Respect
Cognitive Distortions
Respect Initiatives
Issue 13: “Social Media Is Damaging Our Relationship”
Questionnaire on Social Media
Establishing Social Media Boundaries
Using the Mirror on Why
Issue 14: “We Want Different Things”
Determine Our Needs from Wants
Values Pie Chart and Shared Dreams
The Game of Life 2.0
Issue 15: “There Is too Much Anger Between Us”
Uncovering the Emotions Behind Anger
Perspectives to Let Go
Empathizing with Our Partner
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author