Mountain Family TherapyCourses

Couples Communication

Leanna Dopp, LCSWBy Leanna Dopp, LCSW

Learn to talk through conflict without it spiraling, and rebuild the warmth and trust that first brought you together. Hands-on tools for couples who love each other but keep getting stuck in the same arguments.

What's inside

Module 0 — Start HereFree preview

  1. Welcome & how to get the most from this course
  2. What this course is (and isn't)
  3. How to use this course as a couple
  4. The whole idea in 60 seconds

Module 1 — Civilized Brain, Caveman BrainFree preview

  1. Your two brains
  2. Why you can't problem-solve in caveman brain
  3. What flips the switch
  4. Spotting your own warning signs
  5. Regulate first, talk second

Module 2 — More Than One Picture

  1. Two things can be true at once🔒
  2. The invisible gorilla🔒
  3. Why you can't hear each other mid-argument🔒
  4. Slow down and get curious🔒

Module 3 — Genuine Curiosity

  1. Curiosity before persuasion🔒
  2. Drop the lawyer🔒
  3. What genuine curiosity sounds like🔒
  4. Trusting the process🔒

Module 4 — The Talking-Stick Conversation

  1. One speaker, one listener🔒
  2. Speaking so you can be heard🔒
  3. Reflecting until your partner feels understood🔒
  4. Switching sides🔒
  5. When it breaks down🔒

Module 5 — Finding the Common Ground

  1. There is always common ground🔒
  2. If you can't find it, you didn't really hear each other🔒
  3. Naming the shared problem🔒
  4. The goals underneath🔒

Module 6 — Shoulder to Shoulder

  1. Face-to-face vs. shoulder-to-shoulder🔒
  2. Connection over control🔒
  3. Collaborate, don't compete🔒
  4. Building solutions together🔒

Module 7 — Point the Finger at Yourself

  1. The regular check-in🔒
  2. "What can I do?"🔒
  3. Control what you can control🔒
  4. Running a check-in🔒

Module 8 — Keep the Spark: Couples Recreation

  1. Why fun is foundational🔒
  2. Protecting time together🔒
  3. Finding what works for you🔒

Module 9 — Putting It All Together

  1. Walking through a real issue🔒
  2. Common breakdowns and how to recover🔒
  3. When to bring in a therapist🔒
  4. Keeping the gains🔒
  5. Closing & next steps🔒