Topic 4 DQ 1 (Obj. 4.1) Assessment Description What communication problems might you expect to see in counseling clients engaged in romantic relationships? TEXTBOOKS Lehmiller, J., Whitbourne, Stacey B., & Whitbourne, Susan K. (2020). Human Sexuality and Issues in Aging for Grand Canyon University (Custom). Wiley ISBN-9781119828099 – Custom. (Available as a custom ebook-includes only Chapters 1, 2 , 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 13, 14, and 15 from Lehmiller, J. (2017). The Psychology of Human Sexuality (2nd ed.). ISBN- 9781119164739; Chapters 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, and 13 from Whitbourne, Stacey B., & Whitbourne, Susan K. (2020). Adult Development and Aging, (7th ed.). ISBN ISBN 9781119607878) Deborah Walsh Posted Date Oct 30, 2021, 1:20 PM Unread There are many different types or styles of relationships, however if a relationship has turned romantic, communication can easily ‘make or break’ the continuation of that romantic partnership. For example, if a couple has begun with a friend with benefits (FWB) type of relationship – each individual could have a different definition of their FWB status (Lehmiller, Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2020). In fact, there are several different researched FWB stages: true friends, just sex, successful transition, unintentional transition, and failed transition (Lehmiller, Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2020). Typically, due to low communication between the friends regarding their status, it can be very common that one friend may believe that due to their FWB status, the relationship will ultimately progress into something more, whereas the other friend truly only wants occasional sex (Lehmiller, Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2020). Due to this type of ‘lack of communication,’ many times the FWB arrangement does not work out (Lehmiller, Whitbourne & Whitbourne, 2020). Additional communication problems that couples may encounter in romantic relationships are withholding information – or even dishonesty in their communication. Also, poor communication patterns that may have developed in their family of origin that are not compatible in a new relationship (Knapp, Sandberg, Novak & Larson, 2015). Complications may arise when bringing family of origin communication responsiveness patterns to a new relationship that do not mesh with the new partner’s communication style (Knapp, Sandberg, Novak & Larson, 2015).  Amy FibelkornPosted Date Oct 30, 2021, 10:36 PM(edited) Unread There is a myriad of communication problems one may see when counseling clients who are in romantic relationships; lack of listening skills, not taking turns speaking/talking over one another, yelling/shouting/cursing at one another, name-calling, stonewalling, etc. Rauer, et. al. (2013), indicate a failure to establish and sustain a committed intimate relationship during early adulthood is thought to not only hinder development, but have serious negative implications for well-being across the life span (p. 2159). I found this article interesting because it discusses adults getting into relationships later in adulthood than they were in previous decades and indicates there is a correlation between the history of family and peer relationships in determining success with romantic relationships (Rauer, et. al., 2013). Similarly, Miga et. al. (2012), reported, “hostility and aggression between mother and father has been linked with negative outcomes in adolescence, such as lower self-esteem, internalizing and externalizing problems, poor social skills, and adolescent partner aggression” (p. 444). If a client has not witnessed healthy communication, they may not know how to communicate effectively with their partner. When counseling clients it would be important to discuss how their childhood and peer relationships may have impacted their communication styles and that positive communication is considered the key to successful relationships (Lehmiller, et. al., 2020). The counselor would educate the client about positive communication skills to replace the unhealthy ways they have been communicating with their partners. Christy Goodwin Posted Date Oct 30, 2021, 4:11 PM Unread Hello everyone, All relationships, no matter what kind, have communication problems from time to time. This especially happens in romantic relationships. One thing that comes to my mind is how different men and women are. Men are more visual creatures and women are more emotional creatures. If a man is silent for an amount of time, the woman often sees this as mistreatment and that they are being given the silent treatment. However, men may just need to be alone. It is very frustrating for either party to not feel heard. Many times feelings of not being heard stem from basic communication issues. Other common problems, besides lack of communication, are physical and mental health issues, misinterpretations of someone else's motivations, unable to understand another person’s point of view, poor listening skills, cultural barriers, and heated arguments with name-calling (GoodTherapy, 2021). Communication problems are bound to happen from time to time no matter what type of relationship it is. However, romantic relationships are likely at the top of the list because emotions are high and couples spend a lot of time together. How would you counsel a couple where both parties have been repeatedly cheating?