Communication Skills for Couples

Name: Communication Skills for Couples
Rating: 3.8 (74 reviews)

How to Communicate Effectively in Relationships using TLC--Talking and Listening With Care

Created byDr. Patricia Dixon (aka Dr. Ra Heter)

Last updated 1/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

The Power of Words-the power of words—why it is important to communicate in a way that strengthens your partner and your relationship.
Types of Talk—the various types of talk and why it is important for there to be consistency in the types of talk.
Effective Talking and Listening—how ineffective talking and listening leads to communication breakdown and how to move toward effective talking and listening.
Communication and Connectionth—the types of connection and how the level to which we are connected affects how we communicate and how we are affected by it.
Processing Styles—the three ways that individuals process their thoughts and feelings.
Gender Differences in Communication— how early socialization for the genders contributes to communication values, motivation, and communication styles.
Conflict—how we typically conflict and the potential outcomes, and why it is necessary to resolve conflict in a healthy way.
Resolve Conflict—Using the TLC three-Step Program a a step-by-step guide for talking through an Issue and brainstorming for resolutions.
Helping Your Partner Talk through a Problem— how to listen to your partner as they try to talk through an issue.
Gender Differences in Coping with Stress—Understanding how the genders cope with stress.

Course content

10 sections • 40 lectures • 1h 59m total length

Introduction and Overview0:42

The Power of Words3:14
Learn how words hold creative power, shaping reality and self-esteem through ancient Egypt and West Africa, where speech is a divine gift used to create, communicate, and connect.
Types of Talk1:44
Explore the types of talk—heart talk, mind talk, outer talk, and body talk—and learn how nonverbal cues, word choice, and accountability shape understanding and relationships.
Talking and Listening5:53
Processing Styles2:50
Communication and Connection1:35
Identify surface level and deep level connections, and learn to communicate with partners with the same respect you offer co-workers, fostering healthy, lasting relationships.
Gender Differences in Communication4:13

Talking and Listening With Care How it Works0:35
Learn to improve communication with your partner by taking turns speaking and listening, reflecting back with care, and ensuring both sides feel heard and understood.
Couple Arguing First Issue3:53
Explore a morning dispute over dividing childcare tasks, as partners negotiate responsibilities and attitudes while getting the kids ready for school.
Couple Arguing Second Issue4:14
Examine how a married couple navigates daily communication, calling habits, and expectations for staying connected, and how neglecting contact can escalate a heated argument.
Instructor Discussion After Couple Argument1:08
Couple Using TLC Wife Expressing14:45
Practice care-based dialogue with your partner by reflecting back feelings and applying the three c's of caring: value, happiness, and commitment, then express all feelings before addressing resolution.
Couple Using TLC Husband Expressing8:05
Express concerns clearly and reflect back what your partner said to avoid misunderstanding, as couples navigate leaving the house, carrying a phone, and balancing quality time together.
Instructor Discussion After Using TLC1:56
Instructor Discussion Before Moving to Resolution0:42
Talk through the issue first to ensure both partners express everything they need to say and uncover underlying issues before moving toward a resolution.

Resolutions2:54
Partners practice collaborative resolution setting by listing feasible resolutions, narrowing options, and choosing mutually satisfying, specific, and realistic agreements with reminders to prevent reoccurrence.
Co-Action0:40
Practice co-action by initiating and carrying out plans, then meet to evaluate outcomes, revise as needed, and plan follow-up checks to prevent returning to the starting issue.
Instructor Intro to Couple Arguing -Listen for Underlying Issue0:11
Second Couple First Argument5:09
Identify how couples navigate competing expectations and romantic gestures, and learn to express needs and collaborate on actions that make both partners feel valued and happy.
Second Couple First Argument Continue-Uncovering Underlying Issue6:33
Instructor Discussing Underlying Issue2:22
Instructor Introduction of Second Couple Discussing Before and After Using TLC0:22
Second Couple Discussing Before Using TLC3:54
Second Couple Using TLC5:32
Students, this video has some problems, especially in the beginning. Please be patient, it gets better as it goes. Although it has issues, we decided to use it so that you could hear the couple discuss the issue (so you could know what the issue is) using TLC-Talking and Listening with Care.
Second Couple Brainstorming for a Resolution6:52
Brainstorm a practical resolution for the couple, outlining actions such as adjusting how often they connect and shopping for warm, sexy pajamas together, all within a 30-day plan.
Instructor Discussing-Win-Win Solution0:33
Instructor Discussing how to go into Reflective Mode0:50
Exercises0:31

Requirements

The Desire to Communicate Effectively with your Partner
The Desire to Have a Happy, Healthy and Fulfilling Relationship or Marriage

Description

This course is for those who want to learn how to communicate and resolve conflict more effectively with their partner. It outlines some fundamentals of effective communication, four components of our TLC-Talking and Listening With Care program, and then takes you through our TLC-Three Step Program by showing videos of couples arguing before using TLC and then showing them resolving using our TLC three-step program.

Whether you are single, in a relationship, or married, it is important to be able to communicate and resolve conflict effectively. The modules include the following outlined below.

1. Communication Fundamentals, which include the power of words, types of talk, ineffective vs. effective communication, communication and connection, processing styles, gender differences in communication, and how we conflict and potential outcomes.

2. TLC-Talking and Listening with Care— outlines four components of talking and listening with care and more.

3. TLC Three-step program—using couples as examples, this module includes several sections that provide a step-by-step guide for talking through an issue and resolving conflict.

4. Helping Your Partner Talk through a Problem—Instructs you how to listen to your partner as they try to talk through an issue.

5. Gender Differences in Coping with Stress—This section provides a video clip from an Interview with Dr. John Gray, discussing how the genders cope with stress.

TLC—Talking and Listening with Care—the book for this course includes exercises at the end to help singles and couples explore their communication styles and to increase their communication competencies and skills.

Who this course is for:

This course is for singles and couples. Anyone, whether you are single, in a relationship or married, this course will prepare you for how communicate and resolve conflict more effectevely

Communication Skills for Couples

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 1min

The Fundamentals of Communication6 lectures • 19min

Conflict1 lecture • 4min

TLC Talking and Listening With Care Program2 lectures • 1min

TLC Three Step Program to Resolve Conflict3 lectures • 11min

Example of a Couple Resolving Conflict Before and After TLC8 lectures • 35min

Resolution Talking and Listening With Care & Co-Action13 lectures • 36min

Helping Your Partner Talk Through an Issue1 lecture • 4min

Gender Differences in Dealing With Stress3 lectures • 6min

Conclusion2 lectures • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: