Relationship Communication

Copyright Steven M Cohn, PhD

Relationship communication is a common complaint heard by many therapists and Relationship Specialists. In too many cases, inexperienced therapists and couples mistakenly believe that the members of a couple are having a difficult time talking with each other.

Although sometimes couples do have difficulties communicating, most often couples are saying what they mean "loud and clear." It's just that one person or the other doesn't like what their spouse or partner is saying (or not saying). That's not something that can be fixed by trying to teach couples how to communicate better.

Unfortunately, too many therapists take the easy route and simply give their clients a handout about "how to communicate better." Perhaps worse, far to many therapists attempt to teach their clients a failed relationship technique called "reflective listening." That's where you say something to your partner and your partner parrots it back to you. The research is clear: reflective listening does not work.

The articles in this section are designed to teach couples what does work and how to improve relationship communications (which sometimes means focusing on something other than communications).

The first article in this series is titled: Marriage Communication.


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