Managing Conflict: Overview

Why your relationship may be in conflict

  • You have just discovered or have been told that your partner is having an affair or you have cause to suspect this is happening.
  • You have been told that your partner loves you but is not in love with you.
  • You have been told that your partner wants a separation or a divorce; or you have decided that you want a separation or divorce and know it will create a major crisis as soon as you disclose this to your partner.
  • You have developed feelings for someone else or are having an affair. You may feel somewhat out of control and are having difficulty handling your conflicted emotions and behavior and fear the conflict this will produce for your family
  • You and your partner have just had a devastating argument where horrible and mean angry things were said.
  • You have just become aware of how unhappy and lonely you are because of the silence or ongoing fighting in your relationship and now feel you must do something.
  • You are realizing that the relationship you have started is not working for you and feel helpless on what to do because your partner refuses to work on it or get help!
  • Your relationship has diminished passion, sexual complaints, a shutdown partner, demanding in-laws, differences in parenting styles, your adult children or your parents are in a relationship crisis etc.

Why is managing conflict so important?

Step 1 of Taking Space shows you how to begin understanding the conflict in your relationship and ways to stop or reduce it now. Different styles of conflict will be presented. Non managed anger creates distance between partners that prevents the flow of productive communication where your thoughts and feelings will be heard, validated and supported. Productive communication forms the foundation for a healthy fulfilling relationship. Step 1 shows you and your partner how to stop and reduce conflict now!