In this post, Robert Grice, PhD, continues exploring Dr. John Gottman’s principles for nurturing a healthy marriage. Dr. Grice is a therapist at Counseling Resources, specializing in trauma, grief, and marriage counseling.
In our first post, which you can read HERE, I introduced the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work that John Gottman discovered after 40 years of research with couples. This week, we consider principle #1.
1. Sharing “love maps.”
The love map principle means coming to know your partner thoroughly. What are their likes and dislikes? What is their family or relationship history? What is their personality like? What do they like and dislike about me?
Love maps are another way of expressing the need for mutual understanding and awareness of each other’s needs and desires. Marital satisfaction tends to be higher and commitment stronger in marriages where the spouses show mutual respect for the preferences and needs of each other.
How well do you know your spouse? How well does your spouse know you? How faithful are you in honoring the likes and dislikes of your spouse? Why not give it and try and see what happens?
If you are interested in exploring therapy with Dr. Grice, click HERE to send a message to our office, or call (334) 671-1280.
