Communication breakdown?
"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." ~ Ralph Nichols
There are many issues which can put pressure on a relationship, marriage, and/or prior to a marriage. Communication is the #1 issue pertaining to existing relationships. How well we communicate, results in the successful maintenance and growth of our relationships. It is essential we work to keep our relationships healthy, by recognizing, learning, and applying good communication skills. When expressing ourselves and responding to how others express themselves, a good starting point is to use, “I-statements.” These statements allow us to take responsibility for what we think, need, believe, and feel, without blaming others. We take ownership for ourselves and use these “I-statements” to communicate in positive ways. In contrast, “You-statements” shift the blame, and the person who we are communicating with might become defensive and the communication lines can be blocked. In addition to communication, healthy relationships involve effective listening, being friends with your partner, honesty, trust, respect, respecting personal space, love, dating, intimacy, sex, goals/direction, hobbies/interests, morals/values, priorities, doing things together, family involvement, friends, financial, work satisfaction, vacation, handling bad habits. |
Whether you need mediation, a place to vent your concerns, couple, pre-marital, marital, or relationship counselling:
Niagara Counselling can help you to achieve your goals; deepening and strengthening your connection and emotional attachment with the ones you love! Proud to be in the 3 Best Rated Marriage Counsellors in St. Catharines and Welland.
Below is a sample breakdown of the basics of good communication:
How to use “I-statements”:
“I feel, think, want, need (express the feeling, thought, idea, need)…”
“When (state the feeling or behaviour causing it)…”
“Because (identify the reasons)…”
When responding to others using “I-statements”:
“Sounds like you’re feeling, thinking, wanting, needing (express the emotion, thought, idea, need that you hear)…”
Learn how to repair and enhance relationships that may feel broken or damaged. Also, develop skills on how to cultivate new and lasting ones!
Become more in tune with emotional intimacy.
Niagara Counselling can help you to achieve your goals; deepening and strengthening your connection and emotional attachment with the ones you love! Proud to be in the 3 Best Rated Marriage Counsellors in St. Catharines and Welland.
Below is a sample breakdown of the basics of good communication:
How to use “I-statements”:
“I feel, think, want, need (express the feeling, thought, idea, need)…”
“When (state the feeling or behaviour causing it)…”
“Because (identify the reasons)…”
When responding to others using “I-statements”:
“Sounds like you’re feeling, thinking, wanting, needing (express the emotion, thought, idea, need that you hear)…”
Learn how to repair and enhance relationships that may feel broken or damaged. Also, develop skills on how to cultivate new and lasting ones!
Become more in tune with emotional intimacy.
© 2011 Niagara Counselling. All rights reserved.