Relationships in Transition
Resources for understanding relationships, strengthening them, and navigating decisions about separation.
Strengthening Your Relationship
Relationships go through difficult seasons, and conflict does not necessarily mean that a relationship is over. The Gottman Institute offers research-based tools for strengthening connection, communicating through conflict, rebuilding trust, and understanding the patterns that can either strengthen or erode a relationship. For individualized support, couples counseling can provide a place to understand what is happening in your relationship and explore what you would like to change.
Books
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work — John Gottman & Nan Silver
Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love — Dr. Sue Johnson
Secure Love — Julie Menanno
Attached- Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
@gottmaninstitute — The Gottman Institute
@thesecurerelationship — Julie Menanno
@estherperelofficial — Esther Perel
Considering Separation
Deciding whether to stay in a relationship or separate can be one of the hardest parts of the process. The Gottman Institute offers thoughtful resources on questions such as when it may be time to consider divorce and discernment counseling versus couples therapy. Local Seattle counselors work with people navigating relationship change.
Books
Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay — Mira Kirshenbaum
Contemplating Divorce: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deciding Whether to Stay or Go— Susan Pease Gadoua
The Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together— Daphne de Marneffe
@dohertyrelationshipinstitute — Dr. Bill Doherty / Discernment Counseling
@gottmaninstitute — The Gottman Institute
@estherperelofficial — Esther Perel
Separating Collaboratively
Even if separation is the right decision, you don’t have to hand every decision over to an adversarial process. Collaborative divorce professionals can help families work through the emotional and practical aspects of separation while focusing on communication, problem-solving, and durable agreements.
Books
The Collaborative Way to Divorce— Stuart Webb & Ronald Ousky
Collaborative Divorce — Pauline Tesler & Peggy Thompson
The Good Divorce — Constance Ahrons
Follow & Explore
@iacpnews — International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Collaborative Divorce Washington — Washington-specific information about the Collaborative process