As Seen On: PACT Institute In your romantic relationship, paying attention to your partner’s responses and attitudes is especially prudent. Observing impressions and reactions can help you become more in tune with a partner’s likes and dislikes. I refer to this practice as “obtaining your partner’s ‘owner manual.’” For example, if I say the word rollercoaster, most people have a...[ read more ]
Active Listening is a foundational key skill for a successful marriage that both partners should participate in. Active Listening creates a deeper understanding and helps couples empathize more with their partner’s wants and needs. Active Listening doesn't mean remaining silent while your spouse speaks. Marriage is not a one-way street, and neither is communication. Miscommunication occurs when one partner remains...[ read more ]
Looking for the Baby We have all been in situations in which we feel misunderstood by our partner. We might be left scratching our head, wondering why our partner just doesn’t get us. PACT therapists recognize that such misunderstandings or misattunements to nonverbal and verbal cues are similar to what can happen with babies and their primary caretaker(s). We know from attachment theory that if the caretaker is unresponsive, punitive, anxious, or inconsistent, then the...[ read more ]