Couples coach Linda Carroll talks about her new book Love Skills: The Keys to Unlocking Lasting, Wholehearted Love. Falling in love is never a straight line to “happily ever after.” Relationships go through seasons of change, renewal, darkness, and light. Lind says “Contrary to conventional wisdom, people don’t meet, fall in love, overcome a few trials, and then live happily ever after — nor do conflict and dissatisfaction between partners necessarily mean a couple is headed for Splitsville.”

 “When you know how to navigate the storms, conflict can lead to understanding and even closeness that makes your relationship even better than it was before,” writes Carroll. “In most cases, the Love Skills process will help you to rediscover the original promise of your relationship and offer you a road map for traveling this rewarding and challenging path.”

Love Skills offers specific, effective solutions to the most common struggles that couples face both the small troubles and the more serious dilemmas of communication gridlock, betrayal, and seemingly intractable differences. Carroll skillfully draws on her own marriage of thirty-five-years to guide readers through challenging issues like loss of sexual energy, why what once seemed endearing in their partner is now annoying, and the many ways that family history and personality type can wreak havoc in relationships.

We talk about

Love is a feeling - loving is a skillThe chemistry of loveHow to select a partner wellThe importance of self-love firstWhat is your attachment styleDifferent types of listeningHow to communicate effectivelyCOVID confinements and love relationships

Linda Carroll is the author of Love Skills and Love Cycles. While she has worked as a therapist and couple’s coach for over three decades and has acquired numerous certificates and degrees along the way, she says that her own thirty-five-year marriage is the primary source of her knowledge when it comes to the cycles of love. She lives in Corvallis, Oregon. Visit her online at https://lindaacarroll.com/.