The Top 15 Things Couples Do...Who Do Well!
We (Mark & Debbie) have been working with couples for many years. Although we do not have official research to conclude what helps couples thrive in their lives, we have gathered information from watching what has worked for our couples.
This informal research has led to our beliefs about what helps couples do well in their recovery process. The following is a list we created of the Top 15 Things Couples Do…Who Do Well. We want to emphasize that the entire list is predicated on sobriety.
With that understanding, here is the target list to get you started:
Click to see the Top 15 Things Couples Do...Who Do Well!
Commit to ongoing truth telling and sobriety (full disclosure).
Commit to 3 equal pieces of recovery: His, Hers, and the Coupleship.
“Close the door" on leaving the relationship or threatening divorce - at least for a period of time.
Learn to be safe people – emotionally, physically, sexually, spiritually & financially.
Own your own triggers.
Heal personal trauma – invasion and neglect (See The 7 Desires of Every Heart).
Become companions…”I am for you. How can we relate in our journey?”
Heal mental health disorders – depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, etc.
Find a spiritual journey together.
Serve, not submit to, one another (egalitarian relationship).
Work on healthy sexuality - an expression of emotional & spiritual intimacy.
Forgive one another.
Have fun together.
Find purpose in the pain.
Surrender living with a perfect spouse!
We realize some of these items need additional explanation and we've got you covered. Listen to the podcast below as Mark & Debbie unpack this list.
Dr. Mark Laaser, M.Div., Ph.D., was recognized one of the Christian leaders in the field of sex addiction before his death in September 2019. Mark, together with his wife, Debbie Laaser, MA, LMFT, have shared their 32 years of personal experience in sexual addiction recovery with thousands of individuals and couples through their work and books at Faithful & True. The Faithful & True 3-Day intensive Workshops they have created transform lives,rebuild trust, and help to heal marriages.