Ensuring both partners feel heard involves:

  • Equal Time: Allocate equal time for each partner to speak, making sure that neither dominates the conversation.
  • Reflective Listening: Use reflective listening techniques to paraphrase and validate each partner’s feelings, showing that their thoughts are being acknowledged.
  • Encourage Empathy: Foster empathy by asking each partner to express how they think the other feels about specific issues, promoting understanding.
  • Address Imbalances: Be aware of any power dynamics or imbalances in the relationship, and intervene if one partner is consistently overshadowing the other.