Main description:

The PAIRS course acts as a kind of bridge between marriage education and therapy, working both with couples in healthy relationships hoping to improve intimacy, and with distressed couples trying to save their marriages. Building Intimate Relationships is an edited work with contributions from the creator of the PAIRS program and the most experienced PAIRS leaders. It describes the elements of the PAIRS course and discusses the application of the theories and techniques taught in the PAIRS program. Chapters include discussions on intimacy, communication, conflict resolution, emotional literacy, sensuality and sexuality, spirituality and gender issues.

Contents:

Foreword, Mo Therese Hannah
Preface, DianeSollee
Introduction to PAIRS, Rita DeMaria

Part One: The PAIRS Program in Context1. An Overview of the PAIRS Program, Rita DeMaria
2. The Saga of the Development of PAIRS, Lori H. Gordon
3. The Voices of the PAIRS Leaders, Barbara Bogartz

Part Two:The PAIRS Program: Through the Voices of the Leaders4. The PAIRS Relationship Road Map, Robin Temple
5. Emotional Literacy and Healthy Relationships, AnnLadd
6. Communication and Conflict Resolution, J.Thomas DeVoge and Joyce B. DeVoge
7. PAIRS and Family Systems, Bonnie Gordon-Rabinowitz and Marc D.Rabinowitz
8. Bonding and Emotional Literacy, CarlosDurana
9. Sensuality and Sexuality, Don Adam and DonAzevedo
10. Contracting: Clarifying Expectations, Ellen B. Purcell
11. Spirituality and the PAIRS Program, Teresa Adams
12. PAIRS Research, CarlosDurana

Part Three: Special Populations andAdaptations13. Stepfamilies, Bill and Linda Wing
14. PEERS: Programs for Youth, Seth Eisenberg
15. PAIRS Short Programs, Kelly Simpson

Part Four:Practical Realities16. Exploring Gender Issues in the PAIRS Program, Elaine Braff
17. PAIRS: Health and Wellness-Preliminary Considerations, Christine Hibbardand David
Hibbard 18. Ethics, J. ThomasDeVoge

Epilogue: Spiritual Partnership, RabbiMorris Gordon
Closing, Rabbi Morris Gordon
Appendix
Contributors
Index