Communication in marriage is part of the act of loving. So often I have people come in for counseling and they would tell me all that they said and did for their spouse and they can't understand why their partner is not satisfied. After rattling off a list of all their offerings to their beloved, I often have asked the question, "but what did your spouse need from you?" They look at me with often the unspoken expression "well, I just told you all I do for them." Again I'll repeat the question, "what does your partner need from you?"

Meaning well is not the sole requirement for good communication and the establishment of good relationships. In this presentation, we want to get across the idea that one of the most important ingredients in forming good relationships is my being informed about the needs and feelings of a loved one. "Reflective listening" leads to better communication and better relationships. To simplify some of the steps think of the word LOVE. Each letter stands for a stepping stone along this path.

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