Member Reviews

The Couple Skills Workbook by Betsy Chung, PsyD, is a comprehensive and hands-on guide for couples looking to improve their emotional connection, communication, and conflict resolution skills. As a licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Chung brings her expertise in couples therapy to this workbook, providing practical exercises and insights that are easy to apply in real life. The book addresses common relationship challenges, such as miscommunication, emotional disconnection, and recurring arguments, offering couples the tools to rebuild trust, intimacy, and understanding.

What Stands Out:
One of the most powerful aspects of this workbook is its interactive nature. Instead of simply discussing relationship theories, Dr. Chung provides exercises that couples can work through together, fostering deeper emotional awareness and better communication. The book is structured around four key areas: trust, communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intimacy. Each section includes activities that help couples not only identify issues but also actively work toward solutions.

Chung emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and empathy. By encouraging couples to understand both their own needs and their partner’s emotional experiences, the workbook promotes a deeper connection built on mutual respect and compassion. One of the standout features of this guide is its focus on building emotional intelligence, which is key to long-term relationship success.

Practical and Inclusive:
Dr. Chung’s approach is refreshingly practical. She helps couples tackle everyday issues like communication breakdowns, trust erosion, and unresolved conflicts, offering clear steps to resolve them. Her focus on fostering healthy communication skills—such as active listening, empathy, and assertiveness—is particularly helpful for those who struggle to express their needs or navigate disagreements without escalating tensions.

This workbook is also inclusive, making it adaptable for couples at various stages in their relationships, whether they’ve been together for decades or are newly committed. It doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like emotional vulnerability, which many couples find hard to address, and instead offers a supportive framework for these conversations.

A Few Considerations:
While the exercises are immensely useful, some couples may find the workbook’s structured approach a bit clinical. This isn't a light, casual read—it’s a workbook designed for couples who are serious about putting in the effort to improve their relationship. As such, it may require both partners to be equally invested in completing the exercises, which could be a challenge if one partner is less motivated to engage with the process.

Additionally, while Dr. Chung does an excellent job of creating an inclusive environment, the book may not resonate as strongly with couples dealing with more complex relational dynamics, such as trauma or deep-seated trust issues, without additional therapeutic support.

Final Thoughts:
The Couple Skills Workbook is an invaluable resource for couples seeking practical tools to strengthen their relationship. With its clear, step-by-step approach and focus on emotional awareness, it provides couples with a roadmap for building a more resilient and loving partnership. Dr. Chung’s insights on empathy, communication, and conflict resolution are not only effective but also empowering, encouraging couples to take an active role in improving their relationship. Whether you're just beginning your journey together or looking to reignite the connection in a long-term relationship, this workbook is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this workbook in exchange for an honest review.

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This book was a lovely resource for a newly married couple such as my partner and I. Together we are able to use this text to knock down subconscious barriers that hinder our relationship from flowing as smoothly as it can be. I think this title is a must have for any serious partnership as it will aid you in uncovering the hidden aspects of yourself that may be counter productive to fostering the relationship you desire with your partner. This isn't a title that you will be able to use as a solo person to gain introspection, it requires TWO mutually invested participants which is pretty much the only draw back that this fantastic book has. Thank you Netgalley and New Harbinger Publications for access to the digital ARC.

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I thought this would be an interesting workbook that would help couples, both struggling and not struggling in their relationship, to build or continue building on important relationship skills. I don't think this workbook really met the expectations. I didn't feel this book would benefit couples that want to continue their skill building it is more directed to couples that are struggling, which makes it more difficult because often in situations like that there is one of them that would be less willing to participate than the other.

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Although these skills might work for 2 willing couples, they would definitely not withstand if one individual had any resistance whatsoever. I like the concept of speaking of how childhood and attachment affects adult relationships, but the majority of the book seemed to focus on how to treat children. For being a book about Couple Skills, there was more information on interaction and understanding of children. I believe this book missed its mark.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This was an excellent book to help revitalize my marriage. Sometimes we all need a little bit of help and this was a great book for that! I will recommend to all couples I know. Honestly it was fun, amd easy going and not so clinical and scary for those who need a little bit of a couple boosting!

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I looked through this and i just don't think this is something that is for me and that I would work through

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Unlock the secrets to a richer, more fulfilling relationship with "The Couple Skills Workbook" by Betsy Chung. Crafted by a seasoned psychologist, this treasure trove of wisdom helps you and your partner fine-tune your relationship smarts. It's a gentle guide through the messy, beautiful terrain of love, teaching you to listen deeply, communicate honestly, and heal together after the inevitable bumps and bruises. With tender insights and practical exercises, you'll learn to mend conflicts, reignite intimacy, and build a love that feels like home. For anyone yearning to transform their relationship into a sanctuary of understanding and joy, this workbook is your map. I highly recommend!

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I think this book is going to be a hit. I do wish the ARC was able to be printed. Although I read the material, (and resonated with it, as a future bride that is getting married in 3 weeks) I wish I was able to do the exercises with my partner as they were meant to be handled.

I loved the book instructs you to set a schedule to complete this book with your partner. No excuses!

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My husband and I have been in many community groups through our church and I will say, we haven’t found a workbook we loved. This. This is a book that every couple at every church should be handed. It was wonderful! My husband and I really enjoyed doing this together, and the conversations that followed this were incredible. It brought up all the hard topics and things that most people in books avoid. It was kept simple, but was deep. I loved it! I think it would be a great wedding gift for friends too. Churches should be sharing this!

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This was not helpful to me and I believe it was because of the format of the book. I could hardly make it through completing the book

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