Building Healthier Relationships with Better Communication, with Kier Gaines
Nov 28, 2024
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Kier Gaines, a licensed therapist known for his impactful insights on healthy communication, discusses the art of expressing emotions and needs in relationships. He highlights the societal influences that shape men's communication styles and offers strategies for emotional expression. The conversation dives into the complexities of feedback during conflicts and how cognitive distortions can cause misunderstandings. Kier emphasizes that understanding and empathy are crucial for enhancing relational dynamics.
Socialization often hinders men's emotional expression, requiring them to learn new communication skills for healthier relationships.
Effective communication hinges on a feedback loop, ensuring messages are understood correctly and fostering deeper connections.
Deep dives
Barriers to Emotional Communication
One significant barrier to effective emotional communication, particularly among men, stems from socialization and upbringing. Many men are not taught to express their feelings openly, which results in an internal struggle to communicate their emotional needs in relationships. This challenge is compounded by societal expectations that discourage vulnerability, leading men to mask their emotions or avoid addressing uncomfortable topics. The varied experiences of men and women further highlight this issue, as women often have more opportunities for emotional expression, making it essential for men to find ways to improve their communication skills.
Understanding the Cycle of Communication
Improving communication requires comprehension of its fundamental cycle: encoding, delivering, receiving, decoding, and providing feedback. Many conversations fail because the feedback step is often overlooked, leading to misunderstandings. Effectively conveying a message involves checking in with the other person to ensure they interpreted it as intended, which can help clarify any discrepancies caused by cognitive filters. Practicing this feedback loop not only enhances individual communication skills but also fosters healthier, more open relationships.
In this episode, licensed therapist Kier Gaines explores healthy communication and management of expectations in romantic relationships. He offers insights into how therapy can transform the way men communicate, not just through talking but also through understanding and empathy.
You can learn more about Kier’s incredible insights on his Youtube, TikTok, and Instagram.