Historically in the Western world, one model for long-term relationships has been the companionable marriage. Passion and deep emotional connection were for lovers, not spouses.

In the latter part of the 20th century, we woke up and began wanting more from relationships. The new paradigm is a truly intimate marriage intellectually, physically and emotionally. These new demands fly in the face of our historical experiences and expectations, often creating conflict. Traditional therapy does not always resolve that conflict. This program presents a new skill set for couples who want fulfilling relationships.

In this program you learn:

• Why so many current relationships are not ‘truly intimate’ relationships
• How partners can use a “Relationship Grid” to visualize and implement positive feedback to one another
• How you can get what you want, give what your partner needs, and have the great relationship you deserve

(40 minutes)

Half of all marriages in the U.S. end in failure. In about two-thirds of these cases, the wife precipitates the divorce. In many cases, the man is blamed for the dissolution of marriage based because of his inability to meet his wife’s needs. Yet studies show that men can have a great influence on the success of the marriage if they just do the right thing.

Maintaining a healthy marriage extends a man’s life expectancy and increases his lifetime earnings, but it also has protective effects on a woman. Married women have less risk of domestic violence, a greater chance of having health insurance and greater levels of happiness than those who are single or divorced.

Men CAN learn to improve their marriage.

This program covers:

• Ways that men have been viewed as unskilled in relationships, a bias that is perpetuated by popular media and even reinforced in some forms of therapy
• Relationship strategies that appeal to men by recognizing men’s
  unique communication style (for instance, men tend to use less words in
  emotional conversation,) and some of the hormonal and brain structural
  differences that explain this style

• Specific strategies of listening and conflict management for men
  that can improve marital satisfaction