Couples Counselling
The above diagram shows Robert L. Sternberg’s 3 components of Love (1987):
Intimacy = close, connected. Implying self-disclosure / desire to promote welfare of loved one / experiencing happiness with loved one / holding loved one in high regard / being able to count on the loved one in times of need / mutual understanding / sharing oneself and one’s possessions / giving & receiving emotional support / valuing the loved one.
Passion = expression of desires and needs for self-esteem, nurturance, affiliation, dominance, submission, and sexual fulfillment.
Commitment/decision = both short-term and long-term commitment. Short term - to love Long-term - maintain love.
Relationship
When I work with a couple, the couple is the client, not one partner or the
other. The challenge, as I see it, in living together, is two people working
closely in harmony with one another while, at the same time, each having
celebrating their own individuality. And I do believe as Bill O'Hanlan said:
"Love is a verb." It is a doing word and to love successfully takes commitment
and work!