San Francisco Public Library

Marriage meetings for lasting love, 30 minutes a week to the relationship you've always wanted, Marcia Naomi Berger ; foreword by Linda Bloom

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 195-198) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Marriage meetings for lasting love

bibliography

Marcia Naomi Berger ; foreword by Linda Bloom

30 minutes a week to the relationship you've always wanted

"Because they are the product of failed marriages and watch so many of their peers divorce, most couples don't have many successful long-term relationship role models. Parenting and communication issues are perennial while some challenges - like increasingly 24/7 work lives and economic hardships - mark the current decade. Despite all this, psychotherapist and clinical social worker Marcia Naomi Berger asserts that most couples can make love last, they just need to learn how. Berger answers that need with a deceptively simple prescription: have an interruption-free 45-minute (or shorter) meeting each week and follow an agenda that includes the kind of appreciation and planning for fun that fosters intimacy and paves the way for collaborative conflict resolution. Berger has refined these techniques while working with hundreds of couples - with results that are both practical and profound"--, Provided by publisher""Outlines a simple format for spouses, partners, or members of a couple to use to meet weekly, facilitating good communication about schedules, finances, and parenting, as well as love, trust, and shared goals. The meeting elements are appreciation, responsibilities, planning for good times together, and working through challenges. Author is a psychotherapist with more than 25 years' experience"--Provided by publisher"--, Provided by publisher

Part 1. Preparing for your marriage meetings. Marriage meeting basics: Overview and techniques ; Debunking marriage myths -- Part 2. Conducting the four parts of a marriage meeting. Expressing appreciation ; Coordinating chores ; Planning for good times ; Addressing problems and challenges -- Part 3. Communication skills for effective meetings. I-Statements ; Self-talk ; More communication techniques for marriage meeting -- Part 4. Transforming relationships with marriage meetings. Opposites attract, and then what? Ken and Lauren ; Resolving an in-law issue: Ned and Amy ; Handling a money conflict: Sally and Michael ; Couple progresses from verbal abuse to healthier relating: Wendy and Zack ; Marriage meeting techniques support couple therapy: Oliver and Robin -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. The marriage meeting agenda: A quick reference guide -- Appendix B: The feelings inventories and needs inventory