Building Long-Term Relationships

The craft of team-building in long-term relationships requires many building blocks and this book details at least ten major blocks. Your troubles could be related to very high and perhaps unrealistic expectations or a lack in communication and listening skills. Should you pay attention to your own personality or the way we talk to each other? Which components need some fine-tuning in your relationship? Relationship building is an arduous task, filled with many detours and roadblocks. The analogy I would like to use is a bricklayer laying the bricks for the outside wall of your house. If these bricks are not laid straight and with the right amount of mortar, leaks or cracks will appear. And, unfortunately, relationships are no different. Work on each "brick" successfully and the relationship will blossom. Ignoring issues over time, result in arguments, fights and perhaps a divorce. Take your pick. Good luck!

John W. Loeff, Ph.D. has a private practice in Marriage & Family Counseling. He is also a former Associate Dean of general education at Baker College in Michigan; a certified consultant and has a certificate in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. With an educational background from the Netherlands, Canada and the U.S.; he provides a unique perspective on family issues.