Tag: Communication
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Communication Styles – Four Patterns of Communication and their Impact
We all engage in patterns of communication that are influenced by how we think and feel, and that influence our behavior in the interaction we share with others. There are four often talked about styles of communication that are important to have an understanding of. Passive Communication Passive communication is a style in which individuals…
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Time Outs: They’re Not Just for Kids, Adults Can Benefit from them Too
I’ve often had clients identify the absence of arguments as evidence that their relationships are healthy. Clients often develop goals for their relationships based in the belief that happy couples do not argue; and in my work with clients this belief has presented challenges to their ability to develop (and strengthen) skills for open and…
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What are Healthy Boundaries and How to Practice Them
Personal boundaries are the limits and rules that we set for ourselves within our relationships. These rules and limits support our ability to function effectively within these relationships and in our everyday lives. We often talk about unhealthy boundaries and set goals for developing healthy ones. Knowing what the characteristics of unhealthy boundaries are can…
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Responding with I-Statements for Effective Conflict Resolution
In a previous post I discussed the ways in which using I-Statements to express yourself may be helpful in preventing the escalation of conflict with others. Here are some examples of how to use the I-Statement template as shared in that post: The template statement is as follows: I feel (emotion) when/because (trigger). Here are some examples: I feel sad when I can’t…
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Using I-Statements for Effective Conflict Resolution
One of the primary goals of effective conflict resolution is to de-escalate a situation that has potential to become tense and at an extreme, explosive. There are many ways to de-escalate conflict; however I-Statements are effective because they assist with expressing your feelings without placing blame and triggering defenses. One thing I love about teaching…
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The 5 Apology Languages
In a previous post, I shared that an important influence of our ability to build and maintain healthy relationships is our ability to give and receive love – specifically in ways that reflect our primary love language as identified by Dr. Gary Chapman. If there’s one thing about loving relationships that I think we all would…
Cultivative Counseling 