They're most frequently taught in a classroom, a less intimidating environment than a therapist's couch, says Sollee, who finds teaching the skills to individual couples doesn't work as well. Every example I use, they assume I've sized them up. Their defenses get in the way. But in a classroom with 40 people with all the women laughing at the same point and all the men grunting at the same point, you don't take it personally. Participants give only their first name, she says, and are not asked to reveal any relationship horror stories.
All couples fight.
In marriage-education courses, they're taught to welcome conflict as a healthy part of love. If someone stops disagreeing with you, check their pulse. Or check to see if they're having an affair. The core to marriage education is developing effective methods for resolving conflicts.