Have you ever wondered why your relationships ended rather than thrived? This could have a lot to do with conflict and negative communication strategies. Dr. John Gottman, a long-time researcher of relationships has narrowed this down to 4 key behaviours, also known as the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These 4 Horsemen, if they come up frequently, are seen to be key predictors of relationship failure. This method helps you recognize what to avoid and how you can utilize healthier and more productive communication strategies.

The 4 Horsemen are as follows:  

• Criticism  

• Contempt  

• Defensiveness  

• Stonewalling  

 Deep Dive Into The 4 Horsemen:   

So How Can We Avoid This? The Antidotes:  

Want to learn more? Head over to TCC’s Instagram page where Alysha, one of our therapists shares more on this topic!  

We recognize how important these signs are and if you are struggling to build healthy relationships, it is a good idea to discuss this with a therapist. Here at TCC, we have two therapists who specialize in relationships, Alysha and Getrude. If you would like to connect with either of them, click here to book a free 15-minute consultation or a session! 

Resources:

Lisitsa, E. (2024, January 23). The Gottman Method - Four Horsemen. The Gottman Institute. https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-four-horsemen-recognizing-criticism-contempt-defensiveness-and-stonewalling/