How well do you know your partner?
What does trust mean to you in your relationship?
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Examples- reliability, honesty, emotional safety
How can I respond when my partner expresses a need that's different from mine?
Clinical Intervention- Practice active listening- repeat back what you heard before responding.
Which love language do you express the most naturally?
What do you think your partner expresses most naturally?
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What was one of your happiest early memories together?
Using reminiscence therapy to reignite positive bonding and attachment can strengthen current connections
How can I show my partner I'm listening and not just hearing?
Intervention tip- use reflective listening and summarize what your partner says before replying
When do I struggle most with trusting my partner's intentions?
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Exploring core beliefs and triggers from past betrayals for deeper understanding can help strengthen connection
What's one way I can feel more empathy when my partner feels rejected or unseen?
Intervention- Use "I can understand that you feel..." statements to mirror emotions and reduce defensiveness.
Which love language does my partner most need from me right now?
Set a daily goal!
What is one daily act you can do that speaks to your partner's love language?
What first attracted us to each other emotionally?
Reflect on core attraction traits and how they still exist today.
What does my partner need to feel safe to be honest during a conflict?
Intervention tip- Build emotional safety through a calm tone, no interruptions, and validation.
How can we recognize and repair moments when trust feels shaky?
Intervention Tip- Rupture and Repair
Acknowledge, apologize, and reassure.
How might I pause before reacting defensively when we talk about sensitive topics?
Intervention tip- Apply self regulation skills- deep breathing or a brief time out before responding
How can we both meet halfway when our love languages don't align?
Develop a reciprocity exercise- alternating whose love language is prioritized each week. Try and make it fun!
What have we overcome together that has made our relationship stronger?
Resilience reframing helps highlight relationship strengths, not setbacks!
What are signs that our communication is turning into defensiveness or blame?
Intervention technique- Refer to Gottman's Four Horsemen Awareness technique
Catch- criticism, defensiveness, contempt, or stonewalling early
What are some double standards we may unintentionally hold?
Create equal expectations
What can I do to separate my partner's past from our present relationship?
Intervention tip- Engage in cognitive reframing- remind self "that was then, this is now".
What's a non physical way to show affection when one partner isnt in the mood for intimacy?
Use sensate focus on nonsexual touch- cuddling, massages, affirming words.
How have past relationships influenced how we show love today?
Intervention- Identifying transference patterns and creating new relational scripts helps with self awareness and building connection in the present moment.
How can we express needs without making the other feel pressured or guilty?
Intervention tip- Avoid using words such as "You never" or "You always".
Instead- "I feel __ when __ because __, and I need __".
How can we rebuild trust through consistent actions and not promises?
Transparency, follow through, and accountability
How can I work on balancing guilt and insecurities with self compassion to help heal my current relationship?
Do deeper inner therapeutic or self awareness work; engage in journaling, daily affirmations, CBT based guilt reframes.
What's a daily habit that would strengthen both of our love languages at once?
Clinical intervention tip- Create a "connection ritual"- a nightly check in, gratitude share, or affectionate gesture.
What can we take from our past mistakes and turn into a strength for the future?
Practice growth oriented reflection- "What did we learn, and how do we apply it now?"
What is one commitment we can make this week to improve communication and trust?
Intervention tip- Establish a weekly check in ritual focused on emotional connection, not conflict.