Building Romantic Competence: A Skills-Based Approach to Healthy Relationships
This program teaches the three core skills – Insight, Mutuality, and Emotion Regulation – that form the foundation of romantic competence, leading to healthier and more fulfilling relationships. Based on research and evidence-based interventions, this program helps you understand relationship dynamics, develop essential skills, and build lasting, healthy relationships.
Program Modules
Understanding Healthy Relationships
This phase establishes a foundation by defining healthy and unhealthy relationship dynamics, highlighting the limitations of current approaches like couples therapy and premarital education. We'll explore the research behind healthy relationships and the common pitfalls to avoid.
Define Healthy Relationships
Daily 3xIdentify key characteristics of healthy relationships (intimacy, security, respect, communication, value). Consider how these characteristics manifest in your own relationships.
“Intimacy, security, respect, good communication, a sense of being valued. These are some of the things that most people would agree make for healthy relationships.”
Define Unhealthy Relationships
Daily 3xIdentify warning signs of unhealthy relationships (fighting, lack of support, contempt, criticism, hostility, violence). Explore the impact of unhealthy relationship patterns on mental and physical health.
“Researchers also agree on what makes for unhealthy relationships - things like fighting so much that you just can't work things out; not being able to go to your partner for support when you need it; contempt, criticism, hostility, violence.”
Mastering the Three Core Skills
This phase delves into the three core skills: Insight, Mutuality, and Emotion Regulation, providing practical examples and exercises for each. We'll use research-based interventions to help you develop and practice these skills.
Developing Insight
Daily 7xLearn to understand yourself, your needs, your partner, and the consequences of your actions. Practice self-reflection and identifying your emotional triggers.
“Insight is about awareness, and understanding, and learning.”
Practicing Mutuality
Daily 7xLearn to effectively communicate your needs and be willing to meet your partner's needs. This activity involves a simulated conversation to practice effective communication techniques.
“Mutuality is about knowing that both people have needs, and that both sets of needs matter.”
Regulating Emotions
Daily 7xLearn techniques to manage your emotions in response to relationship challenges. We will explore mindfulness and other strategies for emotional regulation.
“Emotion regulation is about regulating your feelings in response to things that happen in your relationship.”
What You'll Accomplish
- Understand the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships and their impact on well-being.
- Develop insight into personal needs, behaviors, and communication styles.
- Practice effective communication and mutuality in relationships using research-based techniques.
- Learn and apply techniques for emotional regulation in relationship contexts.
- Apply the three core skills (Insight, Mutuality, Emotion Regulation) to improve relationship functioning and build more fulfilling relationships.
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