ERP 303: How To Create Safe Conversations — An Interview With Drs Harville Hendrix & Helen Hunt

In this episode, we'll discuss an often overlooked skill that is so simple yet has a significant impact on how we negotiate relationships. We’ll also talk about some tools and practices that can help us turn our disagreements into meaningful connections with our partners.

Dr. Harville Hendricks and Dr. Helen Hunt are co-creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, and a social movement called Safe Conversations. Internationally respected as couple’s therapist, educators, speakers, activist, and New York Times bestselling authors. Their 10 books, including the timeless classic Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples, have sold more than 4 million copies. Harville appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show 17 times! Helen has been installed in the Women's Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institute. The list goes on and on.

Check out the transcript of this episode on Dr. Jessica Higgin's website.

In this episode

3:56 What safe conversation is and why it’s important in building a healthy relationship.

12:58 How these safe conversations in the Imago Dialogue process help the relational culture.

28:19 Simple practices to remind us to value our partners, that they matter, and that we adore them.

39:13 The structure of the Imago Dialogue process: mirroring, validating, and empathizing.

42:54 What the on-duty, off-duty days are and how Helen and Harville use this method to make sure that they are connected when they go to bed.

Mentioned

Imago Relationship Therapy

Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples

Helen LaKelly Hunt - National Women's Hall of Fame

Meet a Philanthropist - A Conversation With Helen LaKelly Hunt | National Museum of American History

The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick

Doing Imago Relationship Therapy in the Space-Between: A Clinician's Guide

Connect with Harville and Helen

Websites: Harville and Helen and Safe Conversations

Facebook: facebook.com/harvilleandhelen

Twitter: twitter.com/HarvilleHelen

YouTube: Harville Hendrix & Helen LaKelly Hunt

Instagram: instagram.com/harvilleandhelen/

Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins

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Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts/

Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins 

Twitter: @DrJessHiggins 

Website: drjessicahiggins.com  

Email: jessica@drjessicahiggins.com

If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the “Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins” button here. 

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