10 Tips to For a Good Relationship

  1. Every morning make a conscious commitment to eliminate blame, criticism, and invalidation from your side of the relationship.
  2. Pay attention to and express appreciation for positive things your partner says or does – no matter how small.
  3. Ask your partner to write down what makes him/her feel loved and special. Do the same for yourself. Exchange lists. Then, every day, no matter how you feel about him or her, do one loving/caring behavior for your partner.
  4. Honestly look at the things YOU do that you know are not helpful to the relationship. If you want something different, you need to do something different.
  5. Develop compassion for your partner and for yourself. Reactive, defensive thoughts, words and behavior are ways we protect ourselves from “danger”. Watch yourself reacting and ask yourself, “What does this remind me of from my own past?” and “What can I do differently at this point to become safer for my partner?”
  6. Ask very specifically for what you need and say “why” it is important for you. Your partner cannot read your mind and actually experiences life differently than you do.
  7. Learn new skills that make communication safe and effective for both of you.
  8. Know that both romantic love and the power struggles are not the destination, but are stages on the road to “real love”. Frustration and conflicts are keys for healing and growth for both of you.
  9. Read the book, ‘Getting the Love You Want’ by Harville Hendrix, PhD., for new understanding of underlying issues that fuel frustration in your relationship and of ways to co-create a better relationship.
  10. Most relationships can be “saved” and transformed, and getting rid of the partner does not get rid of the “problem”. Often our patterns of communicating affect all our relationships. One person working on their part of the relationship affects the other person.

If you would like professional help, please call or email:

Isobel McGrath, MS, LMHC, CAP, CHT

Licensed Counselor, Certified Addiction Professional, Certified Hypnotherapist

Stress/Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Co-Dependency, Relationship Issues

904 436-5576 (Office) 904 806 8840 (Cell),   www.mindunltd.com