Using real-life examples and practical exercises, this guide teaches the communication skills that couples need to thrive togethe Matthew McKay's and Patrick Fanning's self-help books have already sold more than 600,000 copies. Now, the popular authors teach the communication skills couples need to build happy, intimate, lasting relationships. Step-by-step, couples learn how to communicate effectively, negotiate really difficult conflicts, and more. Introduction 1(10) Basic Skills Listening 11(14) Expressing Feelings and Scripting Needs 25(14) Reciprocal Reinforcement 39(16) Advanced Skills Clean Communication 55(14) Identifying and Changing Cognitive Distortions 69(24) Negotiation 93(14) Problem Solving 107(14) Anger and Conflict Assessing and Changing Aversive Strategies 121(14) Coping with Anger 135(28) Coping with an Angry Partner 163(16) Time-Out 179(10) Understanding and Changing What Goes Wrong Identifying Schemas About Your Partner 189(16) Old Tapes: Separating Your Partner from Your Parents 205(14) Coping with Your Defenses 219(18) Identifying Your Couple System 237(20) Intervening in Your System 257(22) Expectations and Rules 279(12) Acceptance and Commitment for Couples 291(22) Bibliography 313