The Marriage Counseling Workbook: 8 Steps to a Strong and Lasting Relationship

by Emily Cook PhD, LCMFT

Overview

With exercises and examples from real-life marriage counseling sessions—The Marriage Counseling Workbook will reconstruct how you and your spouse think about, communicate with, and show love for one another.

Many people want stronger marriages—but few know how to create them. This dilemma is at the crux of Dr. Emily Cook's marriage counseling work. In her private practice, Dr. Cook helps couples pinpoint the cause of their troubles and recreate a deep, lasting connection. Whether you're newly married or have been married for years, The Marriage Counseling Workbook offers step-by-step marriage counseling exercises for learning to talk about the tough issues and build ongoing skills for healthy communication.

The Marriage Counseling Workbook provides the tools and support you need to achieve a stronger, healthier marriage. In The Marriage Counseling Workbook you will find:

• Descriptions of the most common marital challenges—communication, money, intimacy, anger, and conflict—offering insight into your own struggles
• Real-world questions and evaluations to help you gain a deeper understanding of one another
• An 8-step structure with exercises that will teach you to work through problems and find solutions

Marriage counseling requires a commitment to your relationship—and to the marriage counseling itself. Like your very own marriage counseling specialist, The Marriage Counseling Workbook will be with you every step of the way as you commit to restoring the health and happiness of your marriage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623159870
Publisher:	Callisto Publishing
Publication date:	03/13/2018
Edition description:	Workbook
Pages:	270
Sales rank:	295,257
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

EMILY COOK, PhD, LCMFT is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in premarital counseling, repairing couples’ connection, infidelity recovery, discernment counseling, and transitions to new parenthood. She is President of the Middle Atlantic Division of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a member of the National Military Family Association. Dr. Cook has been providing individual therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy since 2008. In 2010, she founded Emily Cook Therapy—a private practice in Bethesda, MD featuring six diverse mental health professionals, each with her own story and expertise.

Table of Contents

Introduction vi

Part 1 Begin at the Beginning

Chapter 1 Identify Your Strengths and Problem Areas 4

Chapter 2 Beneath the Surface 30

Part 2 The Eight Steps

Step 1 Communicate Effectively 60

Step 2 Face Finances 81

Step 3 Explore Intimacy 103

Step 4 Reunite as We 130

Step 5 Build Trust 155

Step 6 Revisit Family 179

Step 7 Redefine Relationship Roles 199

Step 8 Make the Commitment 219

Conclusion 244

Appendix A Feeling Words 247

Appendix B Assess Your Marriage for Abuse 248

References 249

Resources 252

Index 254

Editorial Reviews

The Marriage Counseling Workbook is a marvelous combination of wisdom and practicality. You'll learn about yourself and your marriage, and you'll find tips and strategies for getting unstuck and moving your marriage to higher ground.”—William J. Doherty, Ph.D., professor at the University of Minnesota and author of Take Back Your Marriage: Sticking Together in a World That Pulls Us Apart

“Emily Cook has written a practical workbook that guides couples through the complexities of relationship dynamics while shedding light on topics that need the attention of both partners. From our childhood wounds to our money personalities to parenting, Emily uses her gentle tone to challenge and encourage readers to journey forward in their relationship and commit to prioritizing the partnership. The Marriage Counseling Workbook is an absolute must read for any relationship at any stage of life, bound to provide 'aha' moments along the way.”—Vienna Pharaon, LMFT, founder of Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy in New York, NY, and relationship expert for Motherly

“The Marriage Counseling Workbook is an asset to our patients who are in the midst of repairing their relationships. The couples scenarios and natural questions create an atmosphere that is approachable and undaunting. Dr. Cook is authentic and her book is just phenomenal.”—Harita Raja, M.D., Bethesda Women's Mental Health

From the Publisher