Daily Motivation Enhancement

Relationship Enhancement (Ginsberg, 1997;Guerney, 1977) has its origin’s in the 1960’s with the development of Filial therapy an educational skill training approach that contrasted with the traditional medical model approach prevalent at that time and continuing until today. The assumption in Relationship Enhancement is that most of our difficulties arise from the reciprocal cycles that we have learned and have become habitual in our lives. By practicing constructive ways of relating, these habits will evolve and change into more functional ones. The educational skill-training emphasis of Relationship Enhancement makes no distinction between prevention and treatment. The same model, skills and program could address these differing needs.

Couples, in the Relationship Enhancement Program learn and practice 9 essential skills. These skills are divided into CORE RE Skills and Associated RE Skills. The basic skill training engages couples in an intensive tutorial process in which they learn to how to engage in a safe secure emotionally engaged yet differentiated relationship interaction based on the CORE RE Skills. When they feel sufficiently secure, couples then conduct Audiotaped home practice conversations, which are supervised in sessions with the therapist. Practice of these skills over time is the key improvement of stability and satisfaction in their relationship. Couples are taught these skills singly or in-groups of couples. The structured, systematic and time-designated nature of this approach adds to its efficacy. Extensive research over the last 30 years has supported its power.

There are 5 CORE Skills that comprise the basic skill training. These are Owning Expressive Skill (A Speaking Skill); Empathic Responding Skill (A Listening and Receptive Skill); Discussion-Negotiation/ Engagement Skill (A Skill of Emotional Engagement/Attachment); Generalization Skill; and Maintenance Skill.

Owning Expression Skill emphasizes the importance of expressing oneself without judgment and by acknowledging the underlying feeling which motivates the expression and gives it meaning. This prevents a person from projecting the responsibility outside oneself onto others; instead the meaning being expressed is connected to oneself.

Empathic Responding Skill is about empathy in the context of listening and was developed because empathy is important in all human relationships. Without empathy, we lose sight of compassion and understanding, are not open to others. When we listen with empathy, we are less likely to judge, accuse or take a one-up position that ignores the validity of another’s perspective.

Discussion-Negotiation/Engagement Skill encourages people to respect one another’s feelings and vulnerabilities while allowing each person the opportunity for expression and acknowledgment. This skill enables people to sustain the emotional connection between them (attachment security).

Generalization Skill, which is discussed from the very first session, enables people to incorporate the principles and skills they learn in RE into their real everyday lives.

Maintenance Skill assures that people retain their RE skills once the training is completed. Specific techniques and practices are taught to couples to help them maintain their skills over time.

Audiotaped home practices supervised with the therapist leader are an integral part of the program. The secondary skills: Problem/Conflict Resolution Skill; Facilitative Skill, Self-Change Skill and Helping Others Change Skill are integrated in the basic skill training along with practice in generalization and maintenance.

This workshop is relevant for all attendees at all experience levels. The workshop will employ didactic, discussion, role-play and videotape demonstration methods to promote optimum learning.