Why a couples therapist says “emotional fluency” is important for a healthy relationship

We sometimes include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.

I don’t know about you, but I find the whole idea of “til death do us part” nerve racking. How am I supposed to stay with the one person for the rest of my life?

Yet the reality is that a large percentage of us stay with the same human for over half their lives.

Amazing. Way to go guys.

So what skills do these people have that I don’t? I thought maybe I just have a fear of commitment, but then I came across what a couples therapist says what is important for a long lasting relationship.

Brian Gleason has been married for almost four decades and as a couples therapist knows that he’s talking about when it comes to relationships that last. He says the key factor is having a skill called “emotional fluency”.

The skill is learnable, but you probably never got taught it at school (unless you went to one of those fancy progressive schools that are ahead of their time).

“We’re just not trained to speak in emotional language,” Gleason says. But when you’re in an intimate relationship, you’re constantly feeling a wide range of emotions from longing to anxiety to joy.

It’s intense, and makes it all more important to be able to put your emotions int words. You need to be able to communicate your emotions.

As Gleason says:

“The more we’re able to put into some sort of language and convey it to our partner, that these are my inner experiences right now, the more empathy there is in the relationship. The obverse of that is that the less I can say this is my inner experience, the more my partner is going to be reacting to my outer behavior, oftentimes with udgement and frustration, rather than where they would relate to your experience with empathy.”

The key reason that communicating your emotions is important is because they will constantly change. This is the nature of being human.

The one thing that shouldn’t change is your ability to communicate your emotions, whatever you’re going through.

Let’s say for example that you’re having breakfast with your partner and you’re really worried about a meeting you have that day – with your boss, maybe. Instead of putting your anxieties into words, you keep it in. In this case, your partner has no idea why you’re so silent during breakfast. They can only react to your external behavior.

Your partner reacts: “This is what you always do. You’re always distant and unavailable and not wanting to spend quality time with me.”

Gleason says the key to “emotional fluency” is to provide a way into your inner world to your partner. Your partner needs some way in to be able to understand what’s happening.

All you nneed to do in this example is say something like the following: “I’m really worried about the meeting today, I’m worried that my job is in danger, that my boss is upset with me. I’m not sure how to handle this situation – what’s your advice?”

Inevitably, you’ll be met with compassion.

The relationships that last are the ones where partners have the skill to provide bridges itno their inner worlds. Retionships are much more difficult when your partner has no idea what you’re thinking about.

This is when the tension starts to build up.

When you can learn the skill of “emotional fluency”, Gleason says that “all of a sudden there’s an alliance”. A deeper connection is formed.

This is important to a long and lasting relationship.

Can a relationship coach help you too?

If you want specific advice on your situation, it can be very helpful to speak to a relationship coach.

I know this from personal experience…

A few months ago, I reached out to Relationship Hero when I was going through a tough patch in my relationship. After being lost in my thoughts for so long, they gave me a unique insight into the dynamics of my relationship and how to get it back on track.

If you haven’t heard of Relationship Hero before, it’s a site where highly trained relationship coaches help people through complicated and difficult love situations.

In just a few minutes you can connect with a certified relationship coach and get tailor-made advice for your situation.

I was blown away by how kind, empathetic, and genuinely helpful my coach was.

Take the free quiz here to be matched with the perfect coach for you.

Click the above link to get $50 off your first session – an exclusive offer for Hack Spirit readers.

Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more articles like this in your feed.

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

Helen Fisher on the brain in love (and 10 things to know if you’re looking for love)

Unconventional self-improvement: 8 toxic beliefs to get rid of!