Christian Counseling in Spokane, Washington
Counseling for Individuals, Couples and Families
How to Live Happily Together
Resources for a Happy Marriage
Healthy Relationships |
Unhealthy Relationships |
Communication is open, honest sharing; active listening with real interest in others |
Isolation: apathy and lack of interest in the others or the topics of communications |
| Affirmation and validation of feelings, mutual support for one another
|
Abuse: people get attacked, put down, ridiculed, criticized, even violently attacked |
| Respect is taught, modeled and expected (for self and others) |
Disrespect: no one {and no ideal} is held in esteem or treated with worth |
| Trust is developed through consistent care for the needs of all concerned |
Distrust: people to do not trust each other or themselves, and remain closed and guarded |
| Interactions are marked with lots of fun, play and a sense of humor |
Fear: people are tense, scared, overly sensitive, serious and driven |
| Responsibility gets divided fairly and changes readily in crisis |
Irresponsibility: chores are unevenly and autocratically given, but not always done |
| Honesty is valued; the differences between right and wrong are taught and lived out |
Character: principles and values are not important, taught or shown to one another |
| Meaningful rituals, traditions, celebrations and beliefs are treasured and taught |
Symbols: no meaningful rituals, traditions, celebrations, beliefs, symbols are wanted |
| People take turns |
Power: interactions are out of balance with "might makes right" attitudes |
| There is a deep, shared faith |
Faith: there is not a shared faith at the core of the relationship; maybe not tolerance |
| Privacy is respected |
Privacy: people get invaded and violated in thoughts, feelings, space and body |
| Service to others is an important priority |
Service: there is no reaching out to provide for others; each is self-serving |
| Meetings together are fostered and conversations are enjoyed |
Meetings: talk at the table or councils for problem solving are not done |
| Leisure time is spent together as often as possible |
Time: each pursues leisure and pleasure separately |
| When stressed, they seek help; afterward, they feel ready to solve another problem |
Problems: stress cannot be admitted nor help solicited; later, they fear any more trouble |
