5 Types of Couples – What Type Are You?

Every couple handles their relationship differently – while some couples are more emotional or volatile, others are stable. Read on for 5 types of couples based on their relationship and how they handle conflict. Do you resonate with any of them?

In all my years of experience, I have come across so many types of couples. Situations where the husband and wife have very different personalities, and different ways of looking at life. In some cases, this works beautifully, in other cases, there are a lot of conflicts. You too must have noticed this in your own relationship. 

Following are 5 types of couples based on their relationship and how they handle conflict:

1. Hostile Couples

When both partners are highly defensive and reactive, there is a lot of criticism, statements like “you always” and “you never”, and constant complaining. Each partner is stuck on being ‘right’ in the relationship, and there is not enough support, listening or understanding.

2. Hostile-Detached Couples

They snipe at each other during the conflict, but these couples are emotionally detached and resigned (there is no point). There is a constant air of resentment and negativity, but no inclination to do anything about it.

3. Conflict Avoiders

These couples avoid conflict, avoid expressing what they need from one another, and congratulate their relationship for being generally happy. But the relationship could be harmonious at a superficial level since many important issues or feelings don’t get discussed.

4. Validating Couples

The interaction of these couples is characterized by ease and calm. They put a lot of emphasis on supporting and understanding their partner’s point of view. And, they listen and are usually empathetic about their partner’s feelings.

5. Emotional Couples

Emotional couples are intense and volatile. They argue, debate, laugh and also use humour. There are a lot of emotional ups and downs in their relationship. They argue a great deal but emphasize their connection. They value honesty in their communication.

Which type do you resonate with the most? Is your style of handling conflict different from your spouse/partner’s? Are you someone who is emotional and likes to talk about issues, whereas your partner is a conflict avoider, how does this affect your relationship? Or are you a validating person who likes to talk with calm and ease, and your partner tends to get hostile during conflicts? 

This kind of mismatch can create a lot of perpetual and painful issues. Hence, without conscious effort, these kinds of differences can really damage a relationship in the long term. 

However, there are some amazing ways to work on your relationship, to overcome these barriers. What we need is a BLUEPRINT which gives us science-backed techniques to make our relationships happy and fulfilling! And this is where the GOTTMAN WORKSHOP comes in.

Research conducted on 640 couples who took a two-day workshop based on GOTTMANS Seven Principles found a success rate of about 75 per cent in their relationship and a much lower relapse rate as compared to typical marital therapy.

Millions of couples around the world have attended this powerful workshop! 

In this two-day in-person workshop, you will learn and practice: 

• Skills to manage conflicts constructively
• Take assessments to check the level of friendship, fondness and admiration
• Get introduced to 4 destructive patterns and their antidotes
• Build and share a deeper connection with each other’s inner world
• Enhance connection and intimacy
• Create a sense of shared meaning

Extraordinary relationships don’t happen by luck or chance. And there is NOTHING like a ‘perfect’ soul mate. Hence, the best relationships that we have seen are an outcome of conscious effort. And you can start now…

Attend the powerful Couples Workshop THIS weekend, created by one of the most influential therapists in the world!! Check this link

You can also visit us on our YouTube channel. To subscribe, click here