Improving Your Relationship For Dummies

This is the guide to being happy with your partner. Whether you want to work through tiresome niggles, iron out potential issues before taking the next step, or simply fortify your partnership against the daily ups and downs, this relationship manual provides all the expert advice and support you need. Packed with key information on managing change, successful cohabitation, overcoming jealousy, and igniting passion, and including worksheets designed to get you and your partner thinking and working together, this is your passport to a loving, communicative relationship that's set to last.

Auteur

Paula Hall is a registered sexual and relationship psychotherapist with UKCP. She is a Relate-trained couple's counsellor and psychosexual therapist, currently working in private practice. Paula is also a member of the Relate media team and regularly comments on relationship issues in the national news, on the radio and in various publications.

Contenu

Introduction 1

Part I: Preparing for Relationship Change 7

Chapter 1: Understanding the Economics of Love 9

Chapter 2: Doing a Relationship Inventory 23

Chapter 3: Developing the Ground Rules for a Successful Relationship 43

Part II: Boosting Your Relationship 63

Chapter 4: Prioritising Your Relationship 65

Chapter 5: Doing Oodles of Romantic Stuff 83

Chapter 6: Understanding the Essentials of Sex 99

Chapter 7: Turning Up the Sexual Thermostat 125

Part III: Improving Communication and Resolving Conflict 141

Chapter 8: Establishing the Rules of Effective Communication 143

Chapter 9: Settling Disagreements 161

Chapter 10: Breaking the Argument Cycle177

Part IV: Working Through Relationship Issues 191

Chapter 11: Overcoming Day-to-Day Grumbles 193

Chapter 12: Handling the Bigger Diffi culties 215

Chapter 13: Managing Major Life Changes 237

Chapter 14: Surviving an Affair 263

Chapter 15: Recognising That It's Over 289

Part V: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 16: Ten Ways to Ignite Passion 307

Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Talking Together 313

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Avoid a Row 319

Chapter 19: Ten Great Expectations for Couples 325

Appendix: Relationship Resources 331

Index 335