Relationship forming
Relationship forming focuses on the decision making process leading to a relationship.[1] It therefore differs from relationship therapy which focuses on improving an existing relationship.[2] Put differently, relationship forming is about “making the right choice”, while relationship therapy is about “making the choice work”.
Summary of differences
- Therapy is typically studied and written on by therapists, while relationship forming is studied and written on by intermediaries.
- Therapy has a reactive approach and tries to solve an existing problem, relationship forming has a proactive approach and tries to prevent future problems.
- Therapy focuses on couples that are often in their 30s to 50s, while relationship forming focused on singles who are often younger.
Schools of thought
Within relationship forming, there are two schools: the first school, including authors such as Robin Skynner[3] and Rika Ponnet,[4] advocates that relationship forming is something that we cannot influence, that it is the result of our childhood examples and our basic instincts. The second school, represented by authors such as Peter Delprat[5] considers relationship forming as a skill that can be acquired or developed through education. Delprat believes that relationship forming should be taught at schools.
See also
References
- ↑ Peter Delprat. RELATIONSHIPS how to select the right partner (2011). NL: Synergy Educational.
- ↑ Gottman, John (1999). The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work. UK: Hachette.
- ↑ Robin Skynner, John Cleese (1984). Families and How to Survive Them. Mandarin; New Ed edition (13 Sep 1984).
- ↑ Rika Ponnet. Blijf bij mij (October 2012). B: Lannoo.
- ↑ KNACK Magazine, Belgium, August 2012 (http://www.duetrelatiebemiddeling.be/in_de_media/andere/geschreven_pers/de_goede_partner_kiezen_kun_je_leren.). See also supra, reference 2.