February 11, 2024

A Couple’s Guide to Communication

“A Couple’s Guide to Communication” is more than just a collection of pages; it’s the totem of understanding for those seeking to deepen the connection with their significant other. Designed to push the boundaries of how couples traditionally interact, this book is an indispensable tool in the library of any pair eager to maintain the vigor of their partnership. In the modern dating scene, where PUAs and dating tips often dominate conversations, a focus on lasting relationship skills is both refreshing and crucial.

The art of communication is often left to instinct, yet this book serves as a crucial reminder that it needs cultivation, practice, and finesse. It targets core issues, unfurling the layers of conversation and reaching into the depths where true understanding is born.

Chapter 1, “Listening and Validation,”

invites couples to truly hear each other, a foundational ground upon which the cathedral of their relationship can be built.

Chapter 2, “Leveling,”

shifts the focus to honesty and openness, straying from the surface level chatter that often populates dating advice columns. Instead, it plunges into sincerity that forges trust, paving the way for a relationship enriched by genuine connection. Followed by

Chapter 3, “Editing,”

the book recognizes that not all thoughts are to be spoken, teaching the discernment needed to choose words that uplift rather than wound.

In

“Negotiating Agreements,” the fourth chapter,

the essence of compromise emerges, revealing that alignment does not always mean identical pathways but can be achieved by converging roads of differing perspectives.

“Hidden Agendas,”

the subject of Chapter 5, uncovers the veiled motives that often derail conversations, teaching partners to address and resolve these underlying issues.

Chapter 6,

“Solving Your Sexual Problems,”

explores the intimate dialect of physical communication, providing a safe space for discussion about a topic too often shrouded in silence. Followed by Chapter 7,

“Getting Through A Crisis,”

reminding us that true love is tested in the tempests, this guide becomes the lighthouse guiding ships safely to harbor.

In

“Making A Good Thing Better,”

Chapter 8 likes to sprinkle onto the fertile ground of relationship improvement. Not settling for mere survival, this chapter fosters thriving dynamics that blossom over time. Chapter 9, however, serves as a sobering epilogue.

“Getting Out of a Bad Marriage”

confronts the stark reality that not all unions are meant to last, providing insight on how to part ways with respect and dignity.

The appendices add another layer to the book’s offerings. Appendix A provides an introspective look at the relationship, with inventories designed to surface issues and spark productive dialogues. Appendix B’s self-test gauges knowledge and awareness, Appendix C offers a troubleshooting guide for common complications, and Appendices D and E, “The Up Deck” and “The Fun Deck,” intersperse a lightheartedness into the more serious discourse.

“A Couple’s Guide to Communication” remains an enduring beacon throughout the four decades since its inception. Its timelessness is a testament to the universal quality of its wisdom, resonating with the ever-evolving landscape of human relationships.

– Skill Set: Relationship Skills
– Experience Level: Beginner
– Learning Format: Book
– Coaches/Experts: Cliff Notarius, Howard Markman, John M. Gottman, Jonni Gonso
– Release Date: June 01, 1979


This book remains an essential resource for couples at the beginner level who are seeking to foster their relationship skills. Through the learning format of a book, readers can absorb the material at their own pace and as needed in their personal journey. The collective expertise of Cliff Notarius, Howard Markman, John M. Gottman, and Jonni Gonso has been poured into the pages, with the book first being released on June 1, 1979, and continuing to impart valuable lessons to this day.


Table Of Contents/ List Of Topics Covered:


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