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Show Home n Li vi view Page 1C Lakeside Review Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1981 Marriage Enrichment Course Aids Communication ION KNOWLTON - Review Staff We just BOUNTIFUL tinal course, to teach couples how BY cant talk anymore. I just never know where hes at. John cant talk about his feelings. Sound like someone you know? Your marriage? Or maybe even , you? Communication problems arent all that uncommon with married couples. But now theres a program that may be able to offer some help. Dr. Thomas Pritt, a clinical psychologist at the Davis County Mental Health Center in Bountiful, has begun teaching a marriage enrichment course that has helped to open up the communications gap for many couples who have taken the course. The course is limited to seven or eight couples who meet for three hours each Wednesday for one month. Dr. Pritt emphasizes that the course is not therapy, but an educa- , to communicate better. Any couple has problems from time to time, he notes. The course, which he has been teaching for one year now, is very structured. Couples learn certain concepts and then practice them during the course, and hopefully later, also. Dr. Pritt has been a marriage and family counselor for about 10 . years and ofhas worked with thousands couples. Communications problems are quite common in marriages, he said. In many cases when one person in the relationship is hurt, that person will define the other person as the source, if youd only stop doing this, Id feel better. Then a debate will ensue. The person that is hurt will try to' get enough data to overpower or change the other person, Dr. Pritt said. He says that one marriage partner should not try to change the other, because that often is not possible. Instead,' both partners should be seeking for understanding, he said. Its possible to value the difference of opinion, or agree to disagree, and instead work to solve problems and try to meet the needs of both. The course helps couples to learn to communicate and to deal with both light and heavy issues that are the marriage, he said. ROY Creative Gift Wrap, a affecting is A text, Talking Together, of demonstration unique packaging in the course. used techniques will be presented at the In the first session couples learn Southwest Branch Library in Roy, such things as how to be more in 17 Nov. at 7:30 p.m. with themselves, to examine touch Emma Russell will discuss her and understand what theyre techniques for designing individual feeling. packages that are a gift in their Couples use an awareness own right. which helps them to be wheel You can design your gift wrap in touch with their feelings, more to fit the receiver or the gift itself, and needs,' and also to come commented Mrs, Russell. An array wants to a realization .of what theyre of unique designs will be on display willing to commit to, Dr. Pritt said. at the Library beginning Nov. 12. The partners work together durThe program sponsored by the the course to help each other ing Friends of the Southwest Branch a set of communications develop So to the is open public. Library skills can use, he said. they make your holiday packages uni- ' second session couthe During que this year and attend our progto improve their receivlearn ples conram. For further information, er skills, he said. They learn how tact the library at . to decipher what the other person Demonstration Planned at Roy Library 773-255- 6. . is trying to communicate without distorting the message or without a total loss of communications. Couples also look at several styles of communications. There are a variety of different ways people communicate with others, Dr. Pritt said. For example, most people have a sociable style a kind of chit chat style where there is really nothing to be accomplished by the conversation. Also there is a style where the persons principal motivation is to change the other person. 5 VEAR5 ' There is also a relective, searching style, where the person is exploring what would happen if, Dr. Pritt said. Then there is the centering style, where the person is emotionally honest with self and open to sharing, also attempting to be understanding rather than trying to change or control the other person. The course also deals with building self esteem in yourself and in others. The purpose here is to be constructive, not destructive, Dr. Pritt said. ON 25 YEARS Those wanting to take the course He says many are now able to need to contact Dr. Pritt or the deal with issues without being unDavis County Mental Health Centrealistic. And a common comment er in Bountiful. The course is open is that we have hope now, where to any married couple, regardless we didnt before. of the length of the marriage, Dr. One couple said they thought the Pritt said. course should be mandatory for all Right now there is a waiting list. newly married couples. But those on the list will be conThe course is open to all Davis tracted as their turn comes up, he County residents, Dr. Pritt said. said. The course helps couples to He says that a common reaction to communicate and to deal learn of many couples after completing both light and heavy issues the course is, weve talked better with are that affecting the marriage. than in 10 years. T.V. ON TT.V. SERVICE mmmm FACTORY AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER 1902 MODELS NOW IN STOCK py 0 0 GOOD ON ALL 1981-198- ON SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE svf At$ o qCtt 2 MODELS IN STOCK IN , T.V. LINES BIG SAVINGS AND TRADE IN... 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