Description
045: Sex and Money: The Simple Things that Will Make a Big Difference for Couples
Michael Sytsma, Ph.D.
Building Intimate Marriages, Inc.
1325 Satellite Blvd. N.W., Ste. 102
Suwanee, GA 30024
Shaunti Feldhahn, MPP
Veritas, Inc.
P.O. Box 924014
Norcross, GA 30010
Summary
When is the issue not the issue? When it is sex or money. Both of these hallmark causes of conflict in marriage are frequently seen by couple-helpers, and both are significantly misunderstood as too specialized (or too awkward) to address. Current and ongoing research has identified common, simple underlying emotional and relational factors that greatly impact couples’ relationships in these two key areas. Participants will observe how this new information can be integrated with current helping skills to equip couple-helpers to guide partners through game-changing breakthroughs for the relationship.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
• Identify the primary source of financial conflict among couples, including core value differences, fears, and obstacles to oneness as evidenced by recent research with married and partnered couples
• Identify underlying sources of sexual conflict in married couples, including myths and attribution errors supported by current matched-pair couple research
• Formulate current research-informed conversations between couple members around these fears and values as a means of resolving the deeper issues rather than arguing about the details of the subject within the licensed mental health professional or psychologist’s therapy sessions
