A Couple's Guide to Communication
A Couple's Guide to Communication

A Couple's Guide to Communication

Dr. John Gottman
Dr. Cliff Notarius
Dr. Jonni Gonso
Dr. Howard Markman
6x9
Pages: 252
ISBN: 9780878221271
Item Number: 1271

$32.99

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A Couple’s Guide to Communication is a compilation of research that delves into how distressed and non-distressed couples differ when solving problems.

This guide is specifically crafted for couples who wish to enhance their communication skills and foster healthier relationships. Drawing on extensive task analysis, it outlines the effective strategies that non-distressed couples employ to navigate conflicts successfully.

The book offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes the following essential skills:

  • Listening and Validation
  • Leveling
  • Editing
  • Negotiating agreements
  • Hidden Agendas

In addition to these skills, the guide covers a variety of relevant topics, such as:

  • Solving sexual problems
  • Making a good thing better
  • Getting through a crisis
  • Getting out of a bad marriage

Couples are provided with exercises such as an at-home checklist, self-tests, self-change exercises, and troubleshooting guides following each chapter. An appendix includes problem inventories for both partners, self-tests based on the chapters, and activity card decks.

Research

The skills presented within A Couple’s Guide to Communication are informed by a series of studies that analyze how distressed and non-distressed couples approach problem-solving. Upon its release in 1976, twelve studies involving 250 couples had been completed.

This book is an interim product of this research and was developed as part of a marital research project, primarily supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (Grant No. PHS ROI MH 2459) in the Social Problems section.

The findings and methodologies presented in the book aim to offer couples scientifically validated techniques and insights to enhance their communication and relationship satisfaction.

Preface for the Couple
Preface for the Professional
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1 Listening and Validation
Chapter 2 Leveling
Chapter 3 Editing
Chapter 4 Negotiating Agreements
Chapter 5 Hidden Agendas
Chapter 6 Solving Your Sexual Problems
Chapter 7 Getting Through A Crisis
Chapter 8 Making A Good Thing Better
Chapter 9 Getting Out of a Bad Marriage
Appendix A: Husband's Problem Inventory
           Wife's Problem Inventory
Appendix B: Knowledge Assessment Self-Test
Appendix C: Troubleshooting Guide
Appendix D: The Up Deck
Appendix E: The Fun Deck
References

“Laced with projects, logic, and communication-builders for disparate marital partners . . . Its effectiveness will stem from the broad scope and well-rounded nature of the work.”

—William C. Waters, The Family Coordinator

“A useful resource for leaders of marriage enrichment events, as well as a workbook for couples.”

—Marriage Enrichment

“This Guide holds out to couples the promise of concrete, specific skills for dealing with commonly faced marital problems . . . The material in this book is useful and would spur therapists’ own creativity as they select those techniques which can be put together for use with specific couples.”

—Journal of Psychology, Theology

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