Communication

Communication:

Communication is not something that comes easy to everyone

Communication is a skill which can be taught and learned. 

Individuals experience difficulties in communicating due to negative past experience or lack of a good role model.  Learning effective communication skills will enhance areas of one’s life; including relationships.

Individuals may shut down or withdraw from others; feeling they cannot effectively communicate or their message isn’t coming across. 

The result of poor communication is harmful to individual goals; one feels frustrated, hurt, hopeless or angry as they cannot effectively communicate or cannot effectively articulate their message.  

Our Care Counselors are trained in communication and will equip you with tools to build communication skills and teach you how to deal with those who have communication problems.

 Learn effective methods of getting your needs met.  Learn to set a healthy example, become a role model in your relationships by working with a counselor who can identify areas of improvement.

How can I talk  with a Care Counselor?    

Give a little, get a little This is the carrot-at-the-end-of-the-stick communication. This type of "give and take" is a natural part of any relationship.

A little appreciation goes a long way  Golden Retrievers when it comes to receiving a little praise. In other words, when you make your husband feel good about something he's done, you increase the likelihood that he will repeat that behavior.  Parents do this all the time with children and you may already do this instinctively. For instance, your husband cuts the lawn and you say, "Wow, the lawn looks great!" In that simple statement you showed gratitude for the job he did and gratitude will make him feel appreciated (which, in turn, will make him more likely to mow the lawn next time).  A little praise goes a long way in getting someone to listen.     

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar I cannot emphasize this point enough: The way in which you say something can make all the difference in whether your words get through to your partner or end up unheard, gathering dust in the mental spam-filter.   Example of Vinegar: "Can't you see I'm up to my elbows in this mess? Don't you think of anybody but yourself? At least take out the garbage!" Example of Honey: "Life is so much easier when you help out. Can you take out the garbage?" It's usually best to use the honey approach or the appreciation approach when trying to get your message across to your spouse/partner.   

 Make the conversation interactive and relevant for the person that you are speaking with. Ask for feedback, thoughts and comments and develop the art of becoming a good listener. Believe that your partner may have a different point of view and that their point of view may be every bit as valid as your own. There are many different ways to see things. In all likelihood, you could rally a whole group of people that would see things your way. Your partner could probably do the same thing. Give your partner the benefit of the doubt. Even if he or she begins the conversation … or enters the conversation, with what feels like a negative or irritating remark, try to think that you might not really understand what he or she is saying. In other words, don’t jump the gun and automatically think “he does NOT know what he is talking about!”  

Call us for advice.  Sometime a neutral third party can help you bounce off ideas.

How can I talk  with a Care Counselor?