ABSTRACT

The PAIRS course acts as a kind of bridge between marriage education and therapy, working both with couples in healthy relationships hoping to improve intimacy, and with distressed couples trying to save their marriages. Building Intimate Relationships is an edited work with contributions from the creator of the PAIRS program and the most experienced PAIRS leaders. It describes the elements of the PAIRS course and discusses the application of the theories and techniques taught in the PAIRS program. Chapters include discussions on intimacy, communication, conflict resolution, emotional literacy, sensuality and sexuality, spirituality and gender issues.

part I|51 pages

The PAIRS Program in Context

part II|133 pages

The PAIRS Program

chapter 4|21 pages

The PAIRS Relationship Road Map

chapter 8|18 pages

Bonding and Emotional Literacy

chapter 9|14 pages

Sensuality and Sexuality

chapter 10|8 pages

Contracting

Clarifying Expectations

chapter 11|8 pages

Spirituality and the PAIRS Program

chapter 12|7 pages

PAIRS Research

part III|37 pages

Special Populations and Adaptations

chapter 13|17 pages

Stepfamilies

chapter 14|5 pages

Peers

Programs for Youth

chapter 15|11 pages

PAIRS Short Programs

part IV|45 pages

Practical Realities

chapter 17|9 pages

Pairs

Health and Wellness–Preliminary Considerations

chapter 18|14 pages

Ethics

chapter IV|4 pages

Epilogue

Spiritual Partnership

chapter IV|1 pages

Closing