"People are most resistant to hearing your perspective when they feel you don't understand theirs."
What do we do?
We offer online courses in communication for couples who are struggling with communication or conflict, or wish to strengthen their relationship further through the development of advanced communication skills.
Our courses focus on developing logical, solution-focused, and 'purposeful' communication habits using evidence-based techniques.
We also offer online face to face communication consultancy, for those who prefer some face to face guidance.
What is productive communication?
Productive communication utilises the same evidence-based techniques taught to students of psychology. These strategies focus on responding consciously, in ways that make sense in terms of what you want to achieve, rather than responding emotionally in ways that feel good in the moment, but aren't conducive to your long-term relationship goals.
Productive communication strategies are derived from five core principles:
Neuropsychology
Communication strategies should make sense in terms of what we know about how the human brain typically responds during communication and conflict.
Emotional Management
When emotions are high it is more difficult to engage the parts of the brain required for productive communication and logical reasoning.
Intellectual Empathy
we know that when people feel as though their perspective is not understood, they are less willing to attempt to understand someone else's point of view.
Solution-focused Practice
The core focus of our strategies is to find a sustainable resolution. Getting caught up in blame and criticism often moves us further away from productive problem-solving.
Needs-focused Practice
In order for an agreement to be sustainable, it must address the needs of both partners. We encourage focusing on what each person needs, rather than on who is right or wrong.
Amy
Obtained her psychology degree at Griffith University in Australia in 2010, and taught communication and counselling skills to psychology students at Griffith University and Griffith College for seven years. Amy left her role as lecturer and course coordinator to work with clients interested in communication and behavioural change. Face to face consults are conducted by Amy.
Amy is a firm believer that these techniques should be taught to everyone, not just psychologists. She also strongly believes in authentic teaching; pretending we as instructors are perfect communicators all of the time creates unrealistic ideals and alienates our students.
"I love my husband dearly, but I once threw his toothbrush out the window minutes before giving a university lecture on emotional management" .
Dan
Is a medical doctor by night, heavy sleeper by day, and dedicated husband in-between. Dan brings his unique lived experience to the course, as he discusses his experience overcoming some of his own ineffective communication habits.
"I was sceptical about the whole purposeful communication thing at first. Honestly, I was expecting to be doing 'eye-gazing' or something equally 'fluffy', but it's just about logical, dispassionate communication. Now, I honestly don't believe we'd still be together without it".
Dan is passionate about using evidence-based information to encourage non-adversarial relationships, where couples work as a team rather than as opponents.
Our online video workshops are delivered by both Dan and Amy.
Our Comprehensive Purposeful Communication Course
This course provides couples with a comprehensive, step by step guide to purposeful communication and productive conflict.
Your home, your pace.
Proposing couple's therapy to your partner can be daunting, especially if you feel they might not be receptive to it. Our online course allows you to work through modules developed by an experienced communication teacher in the privacy of your own home. Combine your practice with date night - BYO coffee or wine ;)
Evidence-based theory.
You'll learn the same communication and conflict-resolution techniques taught to students of psychology to help them reduce defensiveness and increase receptiveness in clients, and to help couples communicate more effectively. We'll teach you why these techniques work in the context of how the human brain works. .
Practical action steps.
Sick of 'fluffy', vague advice that tells you what you should be doing but says nothing about how to actually do it? So are we. All of our modules contain practical workshop exercises where you can put what you've learned into practice and start making real progress. There are example videos for every exercise as well.
