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5 Couples Therapy Worksheets & Exercises (+ PDF)

Couples Therapy Worksheets

Couples therapy is an effective way to strengthen the bond between partners, improve communication, and work through issues that may be causing relationship distress.

While traditional talk therapy is an important part of the therapy process, couples therapy worksheets can also be a valuable tool for couples to deepen their understanding of one another and work through specific problems in a more structured way.

How to Use Worksheets in Couples Therapy

Worksheets can be a powerful tool for couples in therapy or intimacy coaching to engage with each other and work through specific issues in a structured and collaborative way. To effectively use worksheets in couples therapy, it’s important to choose the right type of worksheet that aligns with the needs and goals of the couple.

Some worksheets may be geared towards improving communication, while others may be focused on identifying patterns of behavior or exploring individual needs and values.

It’s important to introduce the worksheet in a clear and concise manner, giving the couple adequate time to understand the purpose and process before beginning.

Once the worksheet has been completed, couples can discuss their answers together, and the therapist can facilitate a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, and help the couple create actionable steps for moving forward.

By incorporating couples therapy worksheets into your practice, you can provide your clients with a practical and effective tool to deepen their understanding of each other and enhance the overall effectiveness of therapy.

Example Worksheets for Couples Therapy

Couples therapy worksheets can provide couples with a range of therapeutic approaches to work on specific issues and improve their relationship.

These worksheets can cover a broad range of topics, from improving communication and problem-solving skills to identifying and addressing underlying patterns of behavior. They are designed to facilitate self-reflection, open dialogue, and joint exploration of the challenges couples face.

By using the right therapy tools , couples can identify and work through their individual needs and values, build trust and connection, and establish effective ways of dealing with conflict.

In this blog, we will explore some of the most commonly used couples therapy worksheets, including communication exercises, and emotion regulation activities, to help you provide more effective and targeted support to the couples in your practice.

1. The Positive Aspects of Your Relationships

In couples therapy, it’s important to focus not only on the challenges and issues within a relationship but also on the positive aspects.

Paying attention to the strengths and positive qualities of the relationship can help build resilience, increase satisfaction, and foster a deeper sense of connection between partners.

Here are some ways to cultivate a positive focus in couples therapy [1] :

  • Encourage couples to reflect on and appreciate positive moments in their relationship, both past and present.
  • Encourage them to share positive feedback, express gratitude for each other, and use positive language to frame things in a positive light.
  • Suggest activities that create positive experiences and memories together.
  • Help the couple identify and emphasize their individual and shared strengths to strengthen the relationship.

By focusing on the positive aspects of their relationship, couples can create a more supportive and nurturing environment, which can help them navigate through the challenges and issues that inevitably arise in any relationship.

Shown below is an example of how your clients can reflect on the positive aspects of their relationship using Quenza’s Positive Aspects of Your Relationships worksheet.

preview of Quenza couples therapy exercises worksheets for Positive Relationships

You can access the complete PDF as a customizable Quenza Expansion with your $1 Quenza trial , making it an easy exercise to share with your clients.

2. Gratitude in Romantic Relationships

In couples therapy, fostering gratitude in romantic relationships can be done by [2] :

  • Encouraging partners to express gratitude towards each other regularly, by acknowledging and thanking each other for the things they do.
  • Helping partners to focus on positive aspects of the relationship and to appreciate the good qualities in each other.
  • Practicing mindfulness and being present in the moment, allowing partners to better recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of their relationship.
  • Suggesting exercises that help partners to cultivate gratitude, such as keeping a gratitude journal or creating a daily gratitude ritual together.
  • Highlighting the benefits of gratitude, such as increased feelings of closeness and connection between partners, and improved overall relationship satisfaction.

Below is an example of how Quenza’s Gratitude in Romantic Relationships worksheet can be used by your clients to foster more gratitude in their romantic relationships.

This therapy exercise   involves three steps:

  • First, the clients choose three positive character traits from a given list.
  • Following this, they share their respective lists with each other.
  • Finally, they engage in a joint reflection and discussion to share their feelings and insights gained from the exercise about each other.

screengrab of quenza couples therapy gratitude expansion desktop view

Applying Emotionally Focused Therapy: EFT Exercises To Use

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples involves various exercises that help partners understand and express their emotions and needs, and improve their emotional bond.

Some common exercises used in EFT include [3] :

  • Emotion exploration: Encourage partners to express their emotions and attachment needs, such as feeling safe, secure, and valued.
  • Reflective listening: One partner shares their thoughts and feelings, while the other listens actively and reflects back what they heard.
  • Create connection rituals: Schedule dedicated moments focused on bonding to deepen your connection.
  • Re-enactment: Identify negative patterns and work to change them into positive interactions.
  • Emotion-focused touch: Experience and express emotions through physical touch, such as hugging.
  • Emotion-focused letters: Write letters to express attachment needs and emotional experiences.

3. Knowing Your Emotions

By utilizing Quenza’s Knowing Your Emotions worksheet, clients can proactively delve into their emotions by improving their recognition skills and developing effective strategies for managing them.

For instance, this therapy activity can help clients to identify and overcome emotional obstacles, allowing them to express and understand their emotions with their partner.

preview of client questions in Knowing Your Emotion Quenza Expansion

Recommended:  Training Others in Emotional Intelligence: Your Ultimate Guide

How To Practice CBT in Couples Therapy (+Printable PDF)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used in couples therapy to help couples identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that are impacting their relationship.

Some common exercises used in CBT for couples include [4] :

  • Thought challenging: partners challenge negative and irrational thoughts causing relationship distress.
  • Communication skills training: couples learn active listening, assertiveness, and expressing needs and feelings.
  • Problem-solving training: couples learn conflict management and issue resolution techniques.
  • Behavior modification: partners modify negative behaviors and promote intimacy.
  • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: partners learn stress and emotion management techniques such as deep breathing and muscle relaxation.
  • Exposure therapy: partners gradually overcome fears and avoidant behaviors.
  • Role-playing: couples practice communication and problem-solving skills for positive interactions.

4. Changing Unhelpful Thoughts

Quenza’s Changing Unhelpful Thoughts worksheet, shown below, is a useful tool for clients who are struggling with thoughts that may be negatively impacting their relationships.

This particular CBT worksheet guides clients through a process of exploring how their thoughts make them feel, examining the evidence both for and against those thoughts, and developing alternative, more helpful thoughts.

screenshot of quenza CBT couples therapy expansion in desktop view

Clients can download a PDF copy of their worksheet for their records when you send it through the Quenza client app. If you use cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions frequently in your work, check out our guide on how to provide online CBT .

How to Improve Communication In Relationships

Here are some exercises that couples can do to improve their communication in therapy [5] :

  • Active Listening: One partner speaks while the other fully listens to understand their perspective.
  • Reflective Communication: Each partner shares thoughts and feelings on a topic while the other reflects back without judgment.
  • “I” Statements: Partners express their feelings and needs using “I” statements instead of blaming language.
  • Reframing: Looking at a situation or conflict from a different perspective.
  • Emotional Check-In: Each partner reflects and expresses emotions while the other provides support.
  • Love Maps: Couples create a map of each other’s lives, likes, dislikes, history, and current events to deepen understanding and connection.

5. Apologizing Effectively

Quenza’s Apologizing Effectively worksheet teaches clients a valuable aspect of effective communication: the ability to offer a sincere apology.

By following the guidance in this worksheet, clients can learn how to express remorse in a manner that promotes greater intimacy and mutual understanding in their relationships.

client view of Quenza Apologizing Effectively Expansion for improving relationship communication

Do these exercises inspire you? With the Quenza App, you can customize these Expansions or generate and share your own therapy worksheets with easy drag-and-drop tools.

We have provided several effective ways to incorporate them into programs and treatment plans . In addition, we have included helpful tips and tricks to assist you in automating the process.

Check out our free 30-page guide that provides you with valuable insights into building, customizing, and sharing your own worksheets and tools, as well as creating comprehensive treatment plans and easily tracking and evaluating client progress.

Click here to download your copy of Coach, This Changes Everything.

blue cover image of online coaching and therapy guide pdf

Final Thoughts

By integrating these couples therapy worksheets into your sessions, you can utilize effective tools and exercises that promote positive change and enhance relationships.

These worksheets and exercises can help build your couples therapy toolkit, so feel free to share your experiences with them in the comment section below. Don’t forget to give all these worksheets a try with our $1, 30-day Quenza trial !

Frequently Asked Questions

Couples therapy often involves techniques such as active listening, role-playing, and problem-solving to help couples improve their communication and work through conflicts. Therapists may also use specific approaches, such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), depending on the needs of the couple.

While it’s recommended to seek the help of a trained therapist, couples can also practice DIY couples therapy by setting aside dedicated time to communicate, listening actively, practicing empathy, and avoiding criticism. There are also online resources and apps, such as Quenza, that can provide couples with customized tools and worksheets to facilitate the therapy process.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as what may work best for one couple may not be as effective for another. However, research has shown that approaches such as EFT and CBT are among the most effective in helping couples improve their relationships and overall satisfaction.

Questions asked in couples therapy may vary depending on the goals of the therapy and the approach used by the therapist. Some common questions may include: – What are your relationship goals? – What are your individual needs and desires? – What are the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship? – How can you communicate more effectively with your partner? – What changes can you make to improve your relationship?

  • ^ Gordon, A. M., Impett, E. A., Oveis, C., & Keltner, D. (2010). Positive communication in couples relationships: The role of gratitude and perceived partner responsiveness. Personal Relationships, 17 (2), 267-284.
  • ^ Algoe, S. B., Fredrickson, B. L., & Gable, S. L. (2013). The social functions of the emotion of gratitude via expression. Emotion, 13 (4), 605–609.
  • ^ Guerrero, L. K., & Floyd, K. (2006). The Power of Touch: The Effect of Nonsexual Touch on Relational Satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23 (2), 340-354.
  • ^ Johnson, S. M., Makinen, J. A., & Millikin, J. W. (2001). Evidence-based couples therapy: Current status and future directions. Journal of Family Therapy, 23 (3), 283-316.
  • ^ Cordova, J. V., & Doss, B. D. (2014). Improving couples' relationships: Strategies for enhancing effectiveness and meaning. Current Opinion in Psychology, 4 , 76-81.

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Marriage Counseling Toolkit: 30 Couples Therapy Worksheets

marriage counseling

Indeed, according to the American Psychological Association (2020), between 40 and 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce.

Nevertheless, there are many approaches, often relatively straightforward, that have been shown to improve relationships. Research has identified that even increasing the number of positive interactions over negative ones can improve marriage stability (Budiharto, Meliana, & Rumondor, 2017).

Whether facilitated through one-to-one therapy, books, or mobile apps, the marriage counseling tools and approaches discussed in this article can strengthen marriage’s emotional bonds and improve overall relationship satisfaction.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Relationships Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients build healthy, life-enriching relationships.

This Article Contains:

20 helpful questions for your sessions, 4 couples therapy worksheets for your clients, 3 activities and exercises, assessment methods and questionnaires, extra marriage counseling tips, a look at useful apps, our useful resources, a take-home message.

In Gottman and Silver’s excellent book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999), John Gottman describes how, after observing a couple’s interaction for only 15 minutes, he can predict the likelihood that they will remain together.

And, surprisingly, he is almost always right. When researchers tested his predictions, he was 91% accurate.

So, based on decades of research and interviewing thousands of couples, what did he conclude was the secret behind a happy marriage?

“ Happily married couples aren’t smarter, richer or more psychologically astute than others ,” he says. It is simpler than that. In successful marriages , partners are more positive than negative about one another. And this emotional intelligence can be seen, even in relatively short interactions. After all, a positive attitude radiates through all areas of the relationship: play, romance, learning, and adventure.

With that in mind, marriage counseling provides a vital opportunity to observe couples’ interactions, assess where conflict arises, and agree on the steps required to meet both partners’ needs.

Key questions

The couple should put together a list of questions they have for each other to make the best use of time in each marriage counseling session.

The following questions can be shared during couples therapy, but they should be encouraged to come up with a personalized list in advance of the session:

  • What are the biggest problems in our marriage?
  • Do we want to stay together?
  • Is this a temporary phase (or is it something more permanent)?
  • When did these problems start?
  • Do you believe we can save our marriage?
  • Do you love me, and if so, in what way?
  • What do you love most about me?
  • Do you trust me?
  • Is there anything you don’t trust about me?
  • Are you satisfied with our degree of intimacy?
  • Are you seeing anyone else? Do you want to?
  • Do you feel you can talk to me about anything?
  • Is there anything from our past that still bothers you?
  • Why do you want this to work out?
  • What do you expect from our counseling sessions?
  • Do you see a future?
  • What can I do to make our marriage better?
  • Where do you see our marriage in one/five/ten years?
  • Do you know how much I love/respect/admire you?
  • Are you/we willing to make the changes needed?

Asking questions can help uncover important underlying issues and benefit from the relationship therapy environment’s safety  to help the couple discuss, move forward, and overcome their difficulties.

marriage counseling toolkit

Emotionally intelligent marriages are more likely to succeed. But what do they look like?

While Gottman’s research identified that happy marriages were rarely a perfect union, they all shared several crucial factors.

A happy marriage builds upon (Gottman & Silver, 1999):

  • Friendship rather than fighting Deep friendship is at the heart of the marriage.
  • Sound relationship High levels of trust and total commitment maintain the relationship.
  • Capacity to repair A healthy companionship supports repair following disagreements and conflict.
  • Marriage purpose A partnership has a purpose, where each supports the other’s hopes and dreams.

On the other hand, when a quarrelsome couple in a less emotionally intelligent marriage is arguing over who should take the trash out, it most likely signifies deeper issues.

According to Gottman, “ most marital arguments cannot be resolved. ” After all, how can you change another’s fundamental values or personality? Still, learning to understand what underpins disagreements and how to live with them can  lead to a happier marriage with shared meaning and a sense of purpose.

So how do we do this?

Working together – completing questionnaires, reading books, or attending counseling sessions – can strengthen marriages, overcome difficulties, and reduce negative attitudes (Gottman & Silver, 1999; Babcock, Gottman, Ryan, & Gottman, 2013).

And yet, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to couples therapy, so try out the following worksheets with your clients and see what works well. Their success may vary depending on personalities and the state of the marriage.

Seeing the good in a partner

When things are difficult in a relationship and resentments build up, it is easy to forget the qualities we first saw in a partner.

Share the Valuing My Partner Worksheet to remind the client what first attracted them to their partner.

Getting to know your partner

Learning more about your partner early in a relationship (or as part of a building exercise in a long-term relationship) can be fun and rewarding:

  • The About Your Partner Worksheet can either be completed during a conversation between partners or independently and used in a subsequent counseling session.
  • The Relationship Qualities Worksheet captures what each partner enjoys, what they would like to do in the future, and their longer term goals. Use the questions during couples’ therapy to build a bank of positive feelings and a list of activities to revisit as a couple.

Changing the sentence’s subject

The overuse of “you” during an argument or sensitive conversation can lead to escalation or withdrawal by the other person.

The Turning “You” into “I” spreadsheet helps each partner practice changing the subject of statements from “You” to “I” to avoid blame and facilitate a more reasoned discussion.

Once practiced, the couple can use such statements in the future when discussing sensitive issues with a partner.

10 Habits couples therapists say always end a marriage – Check Facts 360

To provide optimal assistance to your clients, guide them through the following activities and exerices.

Characteristics of successful clients

Marriage counselor Marina Williams has spent countless hours with couples in couple’s therapy seeking help for their marriages. Based on her experience, she provides each with a list of characteristics she has identified in her most successful clients.

Share the following list (modified from Williams, 2012) with your clients. Ask them to review each point and consider whether they can commit to the task:

  • Make your appointments a priority. The most successful clients attend every appointment.
  • Be willing to take risks and try new things. You are going to learn new skills, some of which may seem unfamiliar at first. Commit to trying them out.
  • Prepare for each session. This is a vital opportunity for your marriage; take it. Come prepared with a list of what you want to discuss and any changes since the last session.
  • Provide direct and honest feedback. Be open and honest about what is and is not working.

History and philosophy of your relationship

Couples sometimes need to reconnect with why they are fond of each other; looking back at their shared history can help.

Ask the couple to complete the  Relationship History and Philosophy Questionnaire . Use it to remind the couple why they first got together and how they view marriage (Gottman & Silver, 1999).

Coping with your partner’s pain

Gottman’s extensive work with couples led him to an important conclusion. Happy couples live by the maxim “ When you are in pain, the world stops, and I listen .”

The  10 Tips for Coping With Your Partner’s Upset (modified from Gottman & Silver, 1999) can help partners be there and yet maintain their mental wellbeing, whether the negativity is directed at them or someone else.

Couples compatibility

Couple compatibility and areas of conflict

The Gottman Relationship Checkup questionnaire provides valuable insight into couple compatibility and areas of conflict that require attention.

It compares partners’ scores on several different elements of their relationship, including romance, emotional connection, commitment, values, and goals.

Once both partners have taken the questionnaire (usually it takes about two hours to complete), the therapist reviews the results before offering actionable recommendations.

Assessing marital conflict

Marriage requires balance and understanding between partners; when lost, conflicts arise and needs are forgotten.

As Gottman explains, each person in a marriage brings their own quirks, personalities, opinions, and values. It is, therefore, no surprise that conflicts arise. However, once recognized, it is possible to focus on and adjust coping strategies and regain marital balance.

Most couples are subsequently satisfied with their marriages and are no longer overwhelmed by points of contention (Gottman & Silver, 1999).

The following questionnaires drill down and capture the concerns and issues of each partner for discussion within counseling:

  • The Marital Conflicts Questionnaire identifies conflict points and their triggers before exploring potential resolutions and how each partner is left feeling.
  • The Resolving Marital Conflicts Questionnaire goes deeper, recognizing successful and unsuccessful coping strategies. Use it during couplea therapy to promote discussion regarding the best approach to resolving conflict  in the future.

For example, allow time to think before responding and reduce statements that blame and criticize.

Think of your relationship as the infrastructure of a house. There are certain foundational pillars that support your home. In the case of relationships, these are trust, commitment, and friendship. Without these pillars, the house (i.e., your relationship) can collapse (Gottman, 1999).

To visualize this, The Sound Relationship House Theory was developed. This theory distinguishes nine elements of a healthy and nurturing relationship, two of which represent the walls of the house, and seven of them are different levels of the house. These nine elements are:

  • You believe your partner has your best interests at heart and that they value you as much as themselves.
  • You believe your relationship is a lifelong journey, for better or for worse.
  • You are interested in what goes on in your partner’s life, and you know about their current worries, stresses, joys, and dreams.
  • You are generally fond of each other and accept and celebrate your differences. You enjoy each other’s interests and points of view.
  • You make an effort to turn towards your partner when they try to connect with you.
  • Your relationship has a generally positive feeling/vibe. Problems are approached with a sense of positivity and friendliness.
  • You and your partner deal with arguments gently, maintaining respect for one another, and use humor at times to keep things light.
  • You and your partner support each other’s life goals and dreams.
  • Your relationship is a blend of both your values, culture, and beliefs. You are on the same page and navigate life with a sense of unity.

Using these, examine the soundness and stability of your relationship. Ask yourself: Is the foundation of trust and commitment strong enough to hold up the rest of the house levels in your relationship?

couples therapy homework pdf

Need more? Have a look at the following valuable tips.

The important first session

While marriage counseling is important to you as a professional, it may also be the difference between building a happy marriage or losing your clients’ relationship.

The first session is, therefore, likely to be difficult for a couple. They will be nervous and uncertain about how marriage counseling will affect them.

The following four steps can be built upon or modified as required but offer a useful starting point for your initial meeting with clients (modified from Williams, 2012):

  • Form a connection with the clients. A warm smile and initial small talk can help subsequent engagement in the session. Subtle mimicking of the clients’ body language (so long as it is not inappropriate or aggressive) can make them feel a sense of rapport and similarity.
  • Gather information. Ask each partner what has brought them to counseling, their professions, medical history, and backgrounds. Inquire about the history of their relationship difficulties, specific behaviors, and feelings involved.
  • Educate the clients about the process of marriage counseling. Explain that each session is structured with assignments given out weekly. Allay fears by confirming that you will not be taking sides or judging. It is not about who is right or wrong, but instead is about forgiveness and growing as a couple.
  • Offer hope  by expressing confidence that the marriage can be saved. Do not provide guarantees; there are many factors involved, most of which are outside your control. If the couple leaves the first session feeling that things are likely to get better, they will begin to fix what is broken.

Avoid becoming overwhelmed

Whether discussing conflict within the relationship (or outside), it can be enormously beneficial to reach a state of calm. However, using phrases such as “ calm down ” will have the opposite effect and should be avoided.

Instead, it can be useful to discuss the feelings openly regarding being ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘flooded’:

  • What makes us feel overwhelmed? When does it happen?
  • Can we change how we bring up issues?
  • Do we store up conflict, rather than discuss it?
  • What can I do to soothe you?
  • What can you do to comfort me?
  • Can we develop signals to let each other know when we are feeling flooded?
  • Can we agree on an action when flooding happens? For example, take a break.

There are many relationship apps available. They include questionnaires, daily challenges, and even provide the opportunity to connect with an online counselor.

We have included four of the best options below. Try them out with your clients and find one that motivates them in a fun way to grow in their relationship:

1. Love Nudge

Love Nudge App

The app is based on the New York Times bestseller The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman. (Available on Amazon .)

Find it in the Apple App Store or Google Play store .

2. Lasting: Marriage Health

Lasting Marriage Health App

Find it in the Apple App Store .

3. ReGain – Couples Therapy and Counseling

Regain

The ReGain app enables couples to get on-demand help from relationship counselors. Your client can talk with the counselor on their own or invite their partner through the app.

We have many tools and exercises available to help clients grow as an emotionally intelligent couple.

As well as being enjoyable and entertaining, they offer deep insight into both the relationship and the individuals involved, leading to the formation of stronger relationship bonds and a more resilient and happy marriage.

Try out the following with clients:

  • A valuable skill in any relationship, is being able to manage anger. Use the Anger Exit and Re-Entry Routines worksheet to help couples move from conflict to constructive communication.
  • How to Improve Communication in Relationships – 7 Essential Skills is an excellent resource for couples therapy to improve their communication.

In any relationship, healthy communication is a cornerstone of success. To work on improving communication, have a look at these recommended articles:

  • Your Complete Nonviolent Communication Guide
  • What Is Assertive Communication?
  • 49 Communication Activities, Exercises, and Games

Not only are married people more likely to have higher life satisfaction, but they also have lower levels of stress and an increased life expectancy.

However, as with all areas of life, it is easy to become overwhelmed by stress and conflict and lose the ability to see the positives.

And yet, this is where marriage counseling can be of most help. Indeed, there is a wealth of tools and approaches available to strengthen marriage bonds through increased emotional intelligence, communication , coping, and conflict resolution.

However, the challenge as Gottman sees it – based on his wealth of experience – is for therapists to get deep into the heart of what makes a relationship lasting and happy (Gottman & Silver, 1999). While it is crucial to keep communication lines open and improve problem-solving skills in marriage, emotional intelligence must also be fostered.

Use the tools provided with clients to increase the positive interactions, grow closer as a new couple, and recover some of the misplaced love, affection, kindness, and empathy in a longer lasting marriage.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Relationships Exercises for free .

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Marriage & divorce. Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://www.apa.org/topics/divorce.
  • Babcock, J. C., Gottman, J. M., Ryan, K. D., & Gottman, J. S. (2013). A component analysis of a brief psycho-educational couples’ workshop: One-year follow-up results. Journal of Family Therapy, 35(3) , 252–280.
  • Boyce, C. J., Wood, A. M., & Ferguson, E. (2016). For better or for worse: The moderating effects of personality on the marriage–life satisfaction link. Personality and Individual Differences, 97 , 61–66.
  • Budiharto, W., Meliana, M., & Rumondor, P. C. (2017). Counselove: Marital counseling Android-based application to promote marital satisfaction. International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering , 7(1) , 542.
  • Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (1999). The seven principles for making marriage work . London: Seven Dials an imprint of Orion Publishing Group.
  • Gottman, J. M. (1999). The Marriage Clinic: A Scientifically Based Marital Therapy . W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Williams, M (2012). Couples counseling – A step by step guide for therapists . Viale Publishing.

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Robin Wilson

The passage provides a balanced view of marriage, highlighting both its advantages and challenges. It also offers practical solutions to improve relationships, such as increasing positive interactions and utilizing counseling tools. The inclusion of free Positive Relationships Exercises as a resource is a helpful addition for those looking to strengthen their relationships.

Janell R. Cline

I think this article is fantastic! As someone who works as a relationship coach, I have been searching for questionnaires and I am delighted to have stumbled upon this article. The information and references provided are excellent!

Luis Daniel Salcedo

It’s amazing all the resources and knowledge that you share in this article. Thank you so much.

Witness Zakaria Ndlovu

Thanks for marriage advices that brings me from negative attitudes in marriage to positive attitude of marriage, thank you so much.

Richard Faison

This article is amazing! I am a relationship coach and have been looking for questionnaires, I’m so glad I came across this article. Great info and references!

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25 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Questions & Activities

Rachael Pace

Rachael Pace inspires with motivational articles on loving partnerships. She encourages making room for love and facing challenges together.

Couple talking to therapist

In This Article

If you’re having a high level of conflict in your relationship or want to learn healthy communication strategies to prevent problems from cropping up between you and your partner, couple therapy may be a worthwhile investment. 

If you go to therapy with your spouse or significant other, you will likely be given some couples therapy worksheets to identify strengths and concerns in the relationship. These might help you learn more about each other’s needs. 

These worksheets will supplement the work you do with your therapist. 

What is couples therapy and what is couples counseling?

Before learning about couples therapy activities and worksheets, it is helpful to understand what couples therapy is. People may even use the terms counseling and therapy interchangeably, but there can be differences between the two. 

For example, counseling tends to be shorter-term and less clinical. A couple’s counselor may offer guidance and help couples to find solutions to their problems.

On the other hand, couples therapy sessions are more clinical. A therapist may help you and your partner to evaluate underlying issues, subconscious thoughts, or issues from your past that are creeping into the relationship and causing problems in the present. 

Regardless of whether you choose therapy or counseling, you will likely be asked to complete specific couples therapy worksheets or bonding exercises for couples to help you meet your goals for the relationship. 

What type of therapy is best for married couples?

There are multiple therapeutic techniques available, but there is not one single couple therapy worksheet that is best or that works for everyone. 

A couples therapist can help you and your partner select a program that best fits your preferences and situation. You might consider some of the techniques below.

1. Psychodynamic couples therapy 

One common couple therapy technique is psychodynamic couples therapy. This therapeutic approach assumes that relationship problems arise from unaddressed childhood problems and subconscious thoughts and motivations. 

For instance, people in a relationship may be reliving issues with their parents in the context of a relationship. If a woman has an unresolved conflict with her father, she may be unknowingly trying to resolve that conflict by projecting it onto her partner.

Psychodynamic therapy also addresses our subconscious beliefs and motivations. We all learn what marriages and relationships should look like by watching our parents. We then carry our expectations into our adult relationships . 

If these relationships look different from what we learned growing up, we may think there is something wrong, when in reality, our partner has different expectations than we do. Fortunately, these differences can be worked out using couples therapy worksheets. 

2. Gottman’s couples counseling

Another one of the common couple therapy techniques is Gottman’s couples counseling. Gottman is a pioneer in marital therapy, and his principles teach couples to change their behaviors to resolve problems and improve their relationship. 

Research has shown that Gottman’s approaches are beneficial for improving intimacy in relationships , and this effect is long-lasting. 

3. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a common therapeutic approach, and you can apply it to therapy with couples. This approach states that unpleasant emotions and undesired behaviors result from distorted thinking patterns. 

Couples learn to change their thinking patterns in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) sessions, improving the relationship. 

4. Emotionally-focused couples therapy

Some couples may benefit from working with a counselor who practices emotionally-focused couples therapy. Couples therapy exercises utilized in this approach focus on helping couples to discontinue negative interaction patterns and strengthen their bond. 

Couples also become more skilled in sharing their emotions, showing compassion for each other, and changing how they communicate. Studies of couple therapy techniques have found that emotionally-focused couples therapy improves marital satisfaction. 

Relationship evaluation checklist

A relationship evaluation checklist is one of the relationship activities you might perform before even going to counseling. This checklist allows you to answer “yes” or “no” to a series of questions that evaluate the relationship’s health. 

Areas where you answer “no” may indicate a problem that may need to be addressed in therapy.

Some common questions that may be included on a relationship evaluation checklist are as follows:

  • Do you feel comfortable being yourself around your partner?
  • If you are upset about something, do you feel safe sharing this with your partner?
  • Can you enjoy your hobbies and separate friendships while still maintaining your relationship?
  • Does your partner make you feel good about yourself most of the time?
  • Are you confident that they will listen if you share your feelings with your partner?
  • Is your significant other willing to compromise with you to ensure that both of you are happy?
  • Do you feel that your needs are met within your relationship?
  • Can you and your partner discuss areas of disagreement without yelling or name-calling? 

25 couple therapy worksheets and activities 

So, what relationship worksheets or activities are used in couples therapy? The ones below are common. 

1. Extended cuddle time

Physical touch can be critical for helping couples to connect. 

A couples therapist may recommend that you and your partner spend extra time cuddling whenever you can fit it into your day. This might mean first thing in the morning or while you’re on the couch watching TV at night. 

2. Using the miracle question 

With this couple therapy activity, the therapist asks the couple, “If you woke up tomorrow and solved all your problems, what would be different?” This gives the couple an idea of important issues they’d like to work on and what they want to see change. 

3. Weekly meetings

One of the top activities for couples therapy is scheduling a weekly meeting between partners. 

Your therapist may ask you and your spouse or significant other to sit down at a specified time each week and discuss the “state of the union.” 

You will talk about how each of you is feeling, if there is any unfinished business you need to address, and what each of you needs from the other in the coming week. 

4. The five things exercise

During therapy sessions or in daily life, your couples therapist may suggest you engage in the “five things” exercise. When you do this couples therapy worksheet, you’ll tell your partner five things you like about them or five things you’re grateful they’ve done for you lately. 

5. Naikan reflection

The Naikan reflection is one of the top couples therapy worksheets. This worksheet is completed individually and asks you to answer questions such as, “What have I received out of this relationship this week?” 

The point of the Naikan exercise is for you to reflect upon the relationship and develop gratitude for your partner. 

6. The game of truth

Designed to help you and your partner connect and learn more about each other, the game of truth is typically a deck of cards that includes personal questions such as, “What is your biggest fear?” or, “What is your favorite childhood memory?” 

Exploring the answers to certain questions together can strengthen your bond, making this one of the top bonding exercises for couples. 

7. Sharing songs

Bonding over music is a favorite couples therapy activity. 

You might be asked to share your favorite songs with your partner, including what they mean to you, why you like them, and what feelings you have in response to them. This allows you to learn more about each other. 

8. The four horsemen worksheet

The “four horsemen” are concepts from Gottman’s couples therapy. These are four behaviors, including criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness, that Gottman says are damaging to relationships. 

Worksheets for couples may use concepts from the four horsemen. They provide examples of the four horsemen in action and ask you to think about better ways to communicate with your partner .

Learn more about Gottman’s four horsemen here:

9. Relationship journaling

We’ve all probably kept some sort of journal, but the relationship journal is slightly different. 

As you might guess, with relationship journaling, you and your partner will write about your thoughts, feelings, and wishes related to the relationship. You might journal about things going well, what you’d like to see in the future, or perhaps your reactions to a disagreement. 

During therapy sessions, you can share your journals in the presence of your therapist to begin working through issues.

10. Strengths exercises

A marriage counseling worksheet may ask you to think about strengths to remember the good parts of the relationship and build upon what is going well. These worksheets may ask, “What are three strengths your partner would say you bring to the relationship?” 

11. Soul gazing

It may sound silly, but soul gazing can help you to connect with your partner, and it’s one of the recommended bonding activities for couples . 

You must get close to your partner and spend about five minutes maintaining eye contact. Some people prefer to listen to calming music while they do this exercise. 

12. Uninterrupted listening

Your therapist may use this couples therapy exercise during sessions. Each partner will take a turn speaking for three to five minutes, while the other has to listen without interrupting. This allows both of you to feel heard. 

13. Soft startups worksheets

One of the top worksheets for couples communication worksheets is the soft startups’ worksheet. This worksheet is based upon principles from Gottman’s couples counseling. 

Using these worksheets can teach you to communicate more respectfully and lovingly during times of conflict rather than being harsh or confrontational when approaching your partner. 

14. Love map exercise

Another helpful couples therapy activity is the love maps exercise, which also comes from Gottman. 

A “love map” is simply your understanding of your partner’s world and who they are. 

You can complete a love map by answering questions about your partner, such as who their best friend is, what their biggest fear is, and how they most enjoy spending their free time. You can review your answers with your partner to give you an idea of how accurate you were.

15. Goals worksheets

Another one of the couples therapy worksheets that you may use is a goals worksheet. These worksheets allow you and your significant other to set goals together, improving your bond, as you’ll be working toward the same things and creating a shared life.

16. Assertive communication worksheets

Communication worksheets for couples may teach assertive communication skills. 

Learning these skills helps you communicate more clearly with your partner and increases your confidence, so you are not communicating passively or without having your needs met within the relationship.

17. Love LanguageⓇ quizzes

Theoretically, we each have our Love LanguageⓇ , which describes how we like to be loved. Some of us like to receive gifts; others enjoy physical touch, whereas others may prefer quality time together. 

When you and your partner take a Love LanguageⓇ quiz, you’ll be better able to meet each other’s needs because you’ll know how each other prefers to be loved.

18. Boundaries worksheets

Couples therapy activities may teach you how to set boundaries. You and your partner may work through a boundaries worksheet to strengthen your ability to set healthy boundaries. 

Even marriages and long-term romantic relationships require boundaries so that each of you still retains your own identities, interests, and friendships. 

19. Conflict resolution activities

Your couples therapist may give you a worksheet or activity that reveals your typical conflict resolution style. 

If you are engaging in unhealthy conflict management styles, such as name-calling, withdrawing, or deflecting blame, these activities can identify these problems and provide a starting point for intervention. 

20. Conversation starters couples therapy worksheets

Your couples therapist may give you a conversation starters worksheet to take home. This worksheet will give examples of questions you can ask to start a conversation during weekly check-ins. These worksheets may also be used during therapy sessions to spark conversation about potential issues to be addressed. 

Worksheet questions might include topics such as, “Who do we know that can serve as a role model for conflict resolution in relationships?”

21. Rules for fair fighting worksheets

It is not unusual for couples counselors and therapists to give clients worksheets to take home. These worksheets can be used for additional learning, or they can be displayed as reminders. 

One example of a couples therapy worksheet is the fair fighting worksheet. You might hang this in the office or on the refrigerator for reminders of what healthy arguments look like. These worksheets may include advice such as, “Don’t be defensive,” or “No name-calling.” 

22. Learning to turn toward your partner

Relationships are better when we respond to our partner’s requests for affection. 

Couples therapy activities may include demonstrations of what it looks like when your partner tries to connect with you and request affection. 

When you complete these activities in therapy, you’re better prepared to respond positively and turn toward your partner rather than turning away when they ask for affection or connection. 

23. Active listening worksheets

One of the more common communication worksheets for couples is the active listening worksheet. These worksheets teach you how to listen to and hear your partner, which improves your communication. You’ll learn skills such as summarizing your partner’s words and being attentive and supportive when talking.

24. Repair checklists

An important couples therapy activity is learning to de-escalate and manage conflict without damaging the relationship. 

Repair checklists are introduced in couple therapy to teach people healthy ways of managing disagreements. These checklists include appropriate conflict management responses, such as apologizing, negotiating, or acknowledging the other person’s viewpoint. 

25. The “my partner’s qualities worksheet”

A therapist may assign this couples therapy worksheet as homework and ask the two of you to bring back your worksheets to share at the next session. 

This worksheet asks you to list your favorite memories with your significant other, things that attracted you to them at the beginning of the relationship , and reasons you value them. 

Couple therapy questions 

Couples therapy worksheets and activities can be fun and interesting, but remember that during the initial stages of couples therapy , your therapist will need to assess you, your partner, and the relationship to determine your needs and goals before jumping into therapeutic activities. 

Your couples therapist may ask some of the following questions to get to know the two of you:

  • How long have the two of you been in a relationship?
  • What brought you to couples counseling?
  • What other things have you tried to help improve the relationship?
  • What do you expect from couples therapy?
  • What is the biggest problem in your relationship right now?
  • What is going well in the relationship?
  • How did the two of you meet and fall in love ? 
  • Do you feel loved?
  • What do you usually fight about?

Conclusion 

The couple therapy techniques and activities discussed here are just a few available options. If you work with a couples therapist or counselor, they will help you determine the best approach and bonding exercises for couples to meet your specific needs. 

If you’re having conflict with your spouse or significant other and cannot seem to resolve it, or you’d simply like to improve your intimacy and communication, it may be time to reach out to a couples therapist. They can help you begin working toward your goals for the relationship.

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Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less

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Mental health activities to help you and your clients thrive, 1. purchase  2. download  3. print or share with clients.

  • Jul 20, 2022
  • 11 min read

31 Fun Couples Therapy Exercises for Bonding and Communication

Updated: Dec 12, 2023

From couples journaling to therapy games to conversation starters, this list will keep couples busy with each other for months to come.

Couples games, in therapy or at home, can help improve communication and your overall relationship. In this image a couple smiles as they play a tabletop relationship game.

Couples therapy exercises , both in counseling sessions and at home, can be a great way to connect. You can work on communication skills, have fun together, and learn more about each other.

The activities can be enjoyable, such as playing therapeutic games , or informative, like talking about shared couple goals. Couples can try these activities on their own, during therapy sessions, or complete the exercises as counseling homework.

Here’s a look at several evidence-based couples therapy activities. They range from the light-hearted and entertaining, to more serious discussion prompts. Article highlights are at the top of the list, in case you’d like to skip ahead.

Article Highlights

Couple’s Pursuit Game Download

Traditional Tabletop Games

Conversation Starters

Workshops Online

Journaling for Couples

Couples Vision Boarding

Art and Crafts for Couples

Therapy Session Activities

This kit includes activities at home for couples as well as therapeutic prompts and exercises.

Couples Games

Let’s start with games! There are a handful of therapeutic games that have been created with couples in mind. Traditional competitive and cooperative games can also help you bond and relax (or get excited if that sounds better).

In fact, researchers have actually found that the love and bonding hormone, oxytocin, increases when couples play games together (Melton, et al., 2019).

What a fun way to “work” on your relationship, right? Here are some ideas to get you or your clients on their way.

A couple's therapy game infographic that includes discussion prompts and playful activities.

Couples Pursuit

Couple’s Pursuit is a fun, printable therapy game with multiple conversation prompts and activities. Think of it as a Trivial Pursuit-inspired game for couples, crossed with Pictionary, Taboo, and 20 questions.

The goal is to beat the game as a couple, completing brief relationship-building tasks and filling up the wedges of your wheels before the “third wheel” sabotages you.

The game is consistent with evidence-based couple’s counseling and coaching. It focuses on connection, showing appreciation of each other, having fun, building a future together, and more. It also includes fun-focused activities that keep the game moving and lighten the mood, like drawing and guessing categories.

Here’s a look at each of the categories included:

Drawing and guessing. This category is based on prompts like, “A favorite gift you’ve given or gotten from me.” You have one minute to draw and see if your partner can guess what it is.

Open discussion topics and conversation starters. Example prompts: “If we could change one part of our lives to make us happier, what would it be?”

Expressing appreciation. Prompts in this category encourage you to say nice things to your partner. For example, it may say, “Tell your partner about something they’ve done for you this week that made you feel better.”

Sharing key memories. The memory category often evokes some of the deepest conversations. Prompts often bring up new topics for couples, such as “Describe a time you lied as a kid and never got caught.” Even if you can’t think of an exact example, it’s sure to bring up some interesting things to talk about!

Giving clues and guessing. This category has you listing ideas before the game, and then seeing if your partner can guess them (similar to Taboo). For example, it might include, “Something my partner wishes I would do more of.” You have to try to get your partner to guess your answer only using clues. This category tends to either be funny, or bring up things you wouldn’t think of sharing otherwise.

Physical affection and intimacy. This category is a little more direct, with prompts like, “Hold your partner’s hand and caress their arm.” You can skip this category if you like, or choose a different affectionate activity. This can be good for couples who have trouble being intimate, or may need a jump start lately.

You can learn more and download the activity here - since you can get it immediately, you could play it tonight if your significant other is game!

Cooperative Tabletop Games

Did you know there are many games where you play against a villain or challenge, instead of your partner? What a metaphor for a relationship! These cooperative activities are about competing together against the game.

Traditional cooperative games aren’t necessarily created to be relationship-building , however many couples find them more fun than competitive games. (Or at least a way to play together without arguing!)

They are consistent with the camaraderie and team-building elements encouraged in couples therapy. Here are some popular options.

Pandemic - Work together to save the world

Unlock - An escape-room type game that you can play with your partner at home

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective - Solve the mystery as a couple

Competitive Tabletop Games

Some partners enjoy competitive games more than the cooperative options. If it helps you bond and you don’t end up resentful of each other at the end, then go for it! Here are a few games great for two, along with their competitiveness level.

Fluxx - Multiple theme versions (hello sci-fi fans) that are excitable and highly competitive

Carcassonne - A technically competitive but low-key game for a relaxing evening

Ticket to Ride - A middle-of-the-road board game that offers a bit of competitiveness and distraction (although you can help each other if you like)

Couples Journaling

Couples journaling is also becoming a more popular activity. There are variations and you can make the activity your own. You can keep separate journals that you use to help you communicate, or a joint one that can be its own communication tool. Here are some ideas for how to use a shared journal:

Write in the journal together, following a joint prompt. For example, you might answer: “What do we imagine we’ll be like 10 years from now?” You can take turns writing or appoint one of you to be the scribe.

Write in one journal, but separately. For example, you might keep it in one spot and write down thoughts or ideas and then review them later together. Or you can write to different prompts each week (like in the first example) but do it separately and then read them later.

Use a joint journal to communicate difficult thoughts. Do you or your partner have trouble explaining your feelings or responses? You can also use a shared journal to express yourself, and your partner can read it privately. They can respond in the journal, or you can discuss it together later.

Use a joint journal to express gratitude, appreciation, or shared goals with each other. You can do this either at the same time, or separately as in the examples above.

Make up your own journal activities, and create a ritual around it. Perhaps you review the journal every Sunday, or write in it together once per week. The whole idea is to connect, communicate, and understand each other better.

Use an electronic journal if that works better. If you can’t get down with the written journal, there are multiple electronic options available. The simplest is to use a shared Google Doc and start each new entry with a date at the top of the page (to avoid scrolling). You can even download our couples journal as a Google Doc, or a printable PDF if you prefer.

The couples journal helps partners improve their relationship and work through communication problems.

Couples Vision Board

One of the most rewarding and fun activities I’ve done with my partner was a couples vision board . It’s the same as a traditional vision board, but includes either one board you’ve designed together, or a side for each of you. You can also have an overlapping area in the middle with couple goals.

Vision boards are just like those collages you made with magazines as a kid, but a bit more intentional. Here are some suggestions for creating a couples vision board:

Use a bulletin board. These can be easily changed and updated over time, and you don’t need to worry about making mistakes or changing your mind.

Find old magazines, stickers, couples memorabilia (like ticket stubs or photos) and choose intuitively. Especially at first, don’t think too much about it. Make a pile of pictures or cutouts you might use and choose from them later.

Write your own words. Sometimes you can find the exact phrase or word you need from an old magazine page. But if you don’t, no worries. Just write your own words on a scrap of paper and pin them where you like.

Make another electronic vision board. I recommend also making a physical bulletin vision board, but an electronic board is cool too. Consider doing that later and making it a consolidated version of the larger one. I like an app called simply Vision Board, available in app stores.

Have separate and together sections . What a metaphor for life! A healthy relationship includes your time, their time, and together time. Your vision board can show these three areas of your relationship and encourage you to focus on each.

For a little help, try our vision board set, available within the Couples Activity Kit. It includes cute printable robot couples stickers, along with inspirational quotes to include on your vision board. Check it out here.

couples therapy homework pdf

Conversation Starters for Couples

Discussion prompts are a popular tool among many couples and therapists. It’s a great way to get to know each other early in a relationship. And it’s a great way to keep connected or get to know each other again over the years.

Here’s a look at some popular, as well as lesser-known, conversation tools for you and your partner.

This gay couple is having a shared experience encouraged during couples therapy.

Gottman Card Decks

Have you heard of the Gottman Method? If not, it’s time to check it out! It’s an evidence-based treatment based on years or research on how couples actually interact and live together. They’ve br

anched out to offer more resources, including coaching, for couples, families, and even single

One of their best resources are the Gottman Card Decks. They offer multiple versions including 52 Questions Before Marriage or Moving in , and the Love Map & Open Ended Card Decks . If you’re feeling excited (or not excited enough) you can also try out their sexy Salsa Card Deck .

If you’d like to check out the cards right away, you can also access digital versions online via the Gottman Card Deck app on Apple or Google Play.

Tabletopics for Couples

Tabletopics: Couples is popular and fun set of cards that will certainly get you talking. They’re a fun set of cards that go beyond the typical questions and will have you thinking and laughing. The game has multiple versions including an original and updated decks.

Gottman Workshops

Feeling more ambitious? The Gottman Institute also offers online workshops, both live and recorded, with more detailed activities. They review foundational skills relating to communication, expressing fondness, and changing toxic patterns. You can check out their options here.

Couples Crafts

Remember how games can give you a hit of the bonding hormone? It’s the same for other activities like making art together.

I like to use the word “crafts” sometimes rather than art, because it takes off the pressure. Art seems like something to aspire to, while crafting is about the process. The vision boarding idea above could be considered a type of art, as could cooking or even journaling (especially if you add a visual aspect).

Crafting could literally be making one item together (can you say diorama?) or each completing your separate projects at the same time. Ready for more ideas? Here we go:

Try adult coloring. You can find inspirational coloring sheets online or in bookstores. Or, you can look for nostalgic coloring books like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Strawberry Shortcake. They’re for kids of all ages!

Take an art and wine class. Have you ever been to one of those events where they walk you through how to paint a really serene picture? They’re pretty fun, and you often come out with a finished project you’re pretty proud of. Many art studios offer these for groups or as a date night. Check them out in your area!

Make a joint sand tray. Does your therapist have a sand tray in their office? Or are you a therapist, wondering how to use your sand tray with adults? It can be a therapeutic and fun couples activity. Start with a prompt, like “What is it like when we feel close to each other?” or “How do we each feel when we’re fighting?” Let the miniatures do the talking.

Go on a photo safari. Have you ever taken photos for an artistic or therapeutic purpose? Selfies and family pictures are awesome, but adventure images are for a different purpose. Recreate your first date and take images like you’re making a magazine spread. Each create an image that shows how you feel about the other. Better yet, use a tripod to create your own couples photo shoot, showing your separate and combined personalities.

A lesbian couple in couples counseling pets a dog in a shared couples activity.

Calming Rituals

Rituals, or activities you do regularly or in the same circumstance, are a great way to decrease stress. They can help in the good times and bad. For example, some couples have a nightly ritual in bed where they talk about their day and catch up with each other.

It’s great to watch a movie or have dinner together, but a check-in session allows you to go a little deeper, expressing yourself and showing empathy for your partner. This is a good practice activity for therapy sessions.

Rituals can also be used during difficult moments. If you have frequent arguments, or occasional big ones, rituals can make a big difference. They might involve taking an hour or so apart after a fight to cool down, or watching your favorite sitcom together until you feel clear-headed enough to talk.

Here are some ideas for calming rituals:

Dinner at your favorite restaurant once a month, or when it’s time to celebrate. Celebratable events differ for each couple – maybe it’s for when one of you gets a raise at work, or completes a personal project that’s important to them. Celebrate each other’s successes.

Weekly movie nights. Make watching a movie together an event. Make popcorn or get out healthy snacks. If it’s affordable, head to the theater, or mix it up and go out to the movies one week a month.

Regular family game nights. Game nights can be for the two of you, or for the whole family if you have kids or others in your home. Just make sure you’re also getting one-on-one time if you have a shared household!

Daily, or at least weekly, check-ins. Talk about how you’re feeling, how work or other activities are going, things that you’ve enjoyed lately, etc.

Saying thank-you, sorry, and “I appreciate that.” When people are together for a long time, they sometimes stop treating the other one like a person. When your partner helps with something, even if it’s an everyday chore, that’s something to recognize. Otherwise, people can start to develop resentment or apathy. Being nice will also remind your partner to provide the same for you!

Caring for animals and pets. Caring for pets together can be a great way to bond as well as relax your nervous system. Sometimes therapists even combine pet therapy with family and couple's sessions! You can also look into adopting, fostering animals temporarily, or volunteering at a local shelter. Often they're looking for people to walk dogs and assess their social skills. Sounds like a fun date!

In-Session Couple’s Therapy Activities

Are you a couples therapist or relationship coach? Choosing activities based on your clients’ goals is an important part of your job. That might involve assigning homework or helping couples communicate during sessions.

Many of the activities above will work with some modifications. For example, discussion prompts can be pulled from games or card decks, or can provide you with inspiration. Here are some other activities that may work, depending on your modality and goals:

Practicing soothing rituals in session. You might have your couples practice mindfulness together, or role-play how they might discuss their day and validate one another.

Discuss attachment styles. I’m amazed at how many of my individual clients have been to couples counseling but haven’t heard of attachment styles! If you’re not familiar, I recommend the book “Attached” to get you started. Attachment is a key element in therapies like emotionally focused couples therapy for couples (EFT).

Model empathy and validation. Many people are unaware of when they are being invalidating to their significant other. Listening and practice is the key. You may start by literally role playing, showing what it’s like to validate versus not validate. Once that clicks for partners it can be a game-changer.

Provide (and learn) evidence-based therapies. It may sound like a no-brainer, but if you work with couples it may be a necessity to complete training in the top couples therapies, like The Gottman Method or EFT. At least completing the introductory courses can give you an idea of what couples need the most, since relationships go beyond basic communication.

Try Something New

Is this list enough to get you started? I hope so! Each couple is different, so the best activities for you will depend on your individual personalities, and the areas where you mesh well together. Don’t be afraid to try new things that you wouldn’t normally do. Either you can commiserate on how horrible the experience was, or be surprised and have a new couples activity to add to your arsenal!

Want a fun and meaningful activity you can try or share right away? Check out this couples relationship game and other activities you can download and play today.

couples therapy homework pdf

Lauer & Lauer, 2002, The Play Solution: How to Put the Fun and Excitement Back Into Your Relationship

Melton, et al., 2019, Examining Couple Recreation and Oxytocin via the Ecology of Family Experiences Framework.

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5 Thoughtful Homework Assignments for Couples in Therapy

Write a letter.

The first homework exercise to try is to write a letter about your partner’s best qualities. Write what you love most about them and why they are so special to you. After writing the letter, write the response from their perspective on their best qualities that they notice in themselves and how being with you makes them feel. This exercise will help you to see the best qualities in your partner and allow you to understand more about what they love about themselves.

Identify Things They Do That Makes You Happy

Another exercise is to think of one thing that your partner has done or said recently that made you really happy. Ask yourself if there are patterns in those moments: when do these things tend to happen? What activities seem to lead up to this positive interaction?” Ask your partner if they have noticed the same patterns or if they see things differently. This is also a wonderful way to create more empathy and understanding for one another.

Every day, for at least two weeks (depending on how quickly you catch on), take five minutes and write down three things that went well today or what made your partner happy. This can be as simple as going out for ice cream with friends when it’s not their turn for childcare. The idea is that there should always be more positive than negative in the world; so by taking even just a few moments every day to check in, you can make sure that your partner knows what made them happy and reinforce those positive interactions.

Reflecting on your current or recent feelings is a great way to get more in touch with what you’re feeling and it can help your partner do the same. With your partner, start by trying to reflect on how you are feeling right now, and what things in the current moment bring up those feelings. This is a good time to ask your partner if they are feeling anything similar.

While giving gratitude may sound cliche, it does actually matter; there are studies showing that people who do this have lower levels of depression and anxiety than those who don’t. Being mindful about what is good in our lives leads to us appreciating other aspects as well – even if we might not be feeling so great overall right now.

Create a Memory Book

One fun homework assignment for couples in therapy is to create a book of memories that span over your time together. This means going back through photographs, letters, notes, etc. Anything meaningful! There are no rules other than both partners taking part- provide some context by writing about what happened at the moment these things occurred when possible (this may take more effort from one person).

Use "I Feel" Statements

A fourth homework exercise is to try and have a conversation about your feelings, in which you start with the sentence “I feel…”

For example:

“I feel really sad. I think that’s because my mom ____.”

This specific homework assignment may be too difficult for some couples as it deals with strong emotions, but if this one fits you well then it can be very helpful. It also helps the person who feels more hurt or vulnerable to know their partner cares enough to listen. And, even when they don’t understand what has caused the pain, just saying “I’m here,” validates those raw feelings of anger or sadness.

You could also practice “alternative empathy.” Alternative empathy is a type of empathy that is not just feeling for someone else. It’s more about understanding and being able to see through their perspective with nonjudgmental kindness. This means you help them feel better by trying to understand what has gone on in their life, where they are coming from, and then offering your support.

The hardest part of practicing alternative empathy is the fact that we don’t always know what our partners are going through. We can only imagine, and sometimes it’s hard to do this because if you’re not careful, you might assume things about them based on your own life experience which could be limiting.

The best way I have found to practice empathy is by not expecting anything in return; just being there with a person who may or may not even want your help at the time will benefit them later. This means offering without expectation but understanding where they come from while also honoring their boundaries. It helps us see ourselves as someone else would and how our intentions might make others feel.

Consider Your Senses Together

A final homework assignment for couples in therapy to try is to spend time each day considering the five senses. It’s so easy in our busy lives to just go through life on autopilot and not really be present for anything we’re doing, but this exercise will help you experience the world around you as if it were new again while also creating a space where your partner can share their thoughts without any pressure or expectations.

If you like working on your relationship outside of the therapy office or tele-meeting, try one of these exercises. Let me know how it goes. If you are considering starting couples therapy, get in touch with me today !

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11 Most Romantic Places in Moscow

Moscow is known to be one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to romantic getaways with your significant other. It’s a city where you can put your hands in each other’s pockets to keep warm when it’s cold outside or embrace a lot. A trip to Moscow as a couple can be both unique and enjoyable!

Whether you’re a romantic at heart or a bit more practical, Moscow has many dating options for you: stylish, fancy, and laid-back. 

A couple in love has plenty of delicious options for spending time together. There’s a perfect option for everyone — whether you’re looking for ideas to amaze your new Russian date, you’re celebrating your wedding anniversary in Moscow, or you just want to hang out together.

With our choice of the top romantic places in Moscow, we want you to experience a special and exciting moment for yourself and your significant other. 

11 Romantic Places to Explore in Moscow

Themed parks and gardens, exclusive restaurants, and other romantic spots can be found in Moscow. Take a look at the following:

1. Panoramic views in Moscow City

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Moscow City is a brand-new commercial district in Moscow’s city center. With one of Europe’s highest buildings, it’s not the most obscure location in Moscow. However, the beautiful city panorama, especially in the evening, makes it one of Moscow’s finest dating romantic places. 

Everyone knows that combining novelty with a dash of adrenaline may make your date fall head over heels in love almost immediately. And here is what you can see from the sky deck on the 58th floor of the Imperia Tower, which is 230 meters above the city. 

If sharing the views isn’t enough, a prearranged private meal with a glass of champagne would work wonders as well!

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

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Patriarch’s Ponds is a residential neighborhood in Moscow’s central business district and one of the key settings of Mikhail Bulgakov’s classic novel “The Master and Margarita.” 

Take a leisurely stroll along the pond to escape the bustle of nearby Tverskaya Street with your significant other. Observe groups of teenagers who crowd the benches in the afternoon, sing, and play guitars. After that, get lost in the maze of narrow streets. And when you’re tired, head over to one of the many chic pubs and comfortable cafés that line the streets to grab a meal and relax with your partner.

3. Hermitage Garden

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Hermitage Garden, located on Karetny Ryad Street in Moscow’s central district, is an open field that is frequently characterized as the ideal location for couples. 

Hermitage Garden is beautiful at any time of year. It stunning views during the day and a magical ambiance at night. This garden would be wonderful for couples, with several lovely resting areas right under the trees as well as multiple cozy cafes.

Hermitage has also become one of the most iconic dating destinations, thanks to a newly constructed heart-shaped monument where couples can make a wish. The garden also features several theatrical and music festivals in the summer. It even has a magnificently illuminated ice skating rink in the winter. 

All year round, this is an ideal location for a date.

4. Brix Wine Bar

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Brix is a great place to grab a glass of wine and have an intimate conversation if you’re seeking a romantic place in Moscow. 

Brix is one of Moscow’s best wine bars. It features a wide assortment of alcoholic beverages and top-notch cuisine at relatively moderate costs. It’s a tiny space that accommodates up to 40 people, with a straightforward but well-thought-out design. 

Brix’s welcoming atmosphere will make you and your Russian date feel welcome and at ease.

5. Matryoshka

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The restaurant, which opened its doors in February 2017, is a novelty to Moscow’s dining scene. This restaurant combines traditional Russian food with modern execution. Also, the two-story restaurant’s décor features a mix of contemporary fashion styles, antique components, and industrial themes. This makes the romantic place a setting where traditions meet the latest trends. 

The menu exemplifies how diverse and sophisticated Russian food is. Pike caviar costs around $10, sockeye salmon or pink salmon caviar is around $11, and sturgeon caviar is around $33. These are the four kinds of caviar available in this charming restaurant. Separately available that costs around $4 are sour cream pancakes.

6. Geraldine

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Geraldine is a restaurant with a touching backstory: it is named after the mother of Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner, who was French. 

The establishment is charming and pleasant. It’s ideal for both couples who want to get away from their kids for a weekend brunch date — as well as first dates, as the warm atmosphere helps to break the ice. 

Geraldine is a néo-Bistrot , a cheeky word for a chef who prioritizes their vision and the customer experience over a Michelin star. Néo-bistros are much more than establishments that offer exceptional value in relaxed circumstances. They are similar to an independent film director who wants to share his enthusiasm with you. 

Think of delectable, affordable, and humble when you hear “néo-Bistrot” — ideal for a romantic date for couples visiting the city!

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The Sad is one of the most romantic places in Moscow. The restaurant is large, with seating for up to 200 people. It’s divided into two areas — one of which is a blooming garden — where lovebirds like you and your Russian lover may easily find an ideal table. 

The menu prepared by Michelin Star Chef Adrián Quetglas is extensive and diverse. The soup section alone includes eight entrees. It is mostly inspired by his native Spanish cuisine, although it also has Chinese, Indian, and Italian specialties.

The wine selection and cocktail list are both on par with the cuisine. It’s challenging to pick something that won’t please you and your partner! One significant advantage of a romantic trip to Russia is that you will spend far less money on caviar than you would in many other countries.

8. Mandarin Combustible

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Mandarin Combustible is one of those rare venues where the shift from peaceful tearoom to an astonishingly beautiful bar to a restaurant is effortless. The interior is the most fascinating aspect of this place. It has a fantastic cocktail collection and some genuinely new pan-Asian bites. 

Regardless of how busy the bar is, dark hardwood lounge chairs, richly draped curtains, and mandarin-colored light fixtures contribute to a sense of natural intimacy. Sit in a corner with your partner and let the world pass you by.

9. Pavilion

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Pavilion is a restaurant located in one of Moscow’s most picturesque areas, overlooking the Patriarch’s Ponds. You can sometimes see skaters in the winter and witness the lovely swans drifting by in the summer. 

The restaurant serves exquisite Russian cuisine and has waiters dressed in white tuxedos. As the sun sets over the lake, begin the evening with a toast of Prosecco with your partner. When the weather heats up, a terraced seating area near the water’s edge becomes available.

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Bar 45 has an interesting take on serving wines. They don’t have menus, but a sommelier who personally visits tables and discusses their wine options with guests. Any establishment where the wine selection only sits in the sommelier’s mind takes wine carefully. 

This unassuming bar offers space for roughly 25. It has soft bar stools placed in twos along the counter and rear wall. The kitchen delivers charcuterie, olives, and delectable snacks to help match your booze of choice. This is the ideal setting for wine drinkers, with ambient lighting, soothing music, and superb wine. 

A bit of advice: if this is your first date, keep tabs on your knowledge regarding grape varieties and wine locales beforehand. When the sommelier accepts your order, you don’t want to be caught off guard and embarrass yourself in front of your Russian date.

11. Vogue Café

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Vogue Café is regarded as one of Moscow’s most trendy establishments. It’s a popular choice among couples looking to spend an evening in a stylish setting with delectable cuisine and beverages. The interior design is sleek and sophisticated, with black and gold accents and countless images of some of the most famous fashion models.

Vogue Café is a terrific choice for romantic but modern couples. Enjoy the nice ambiance, superb food, and impeccable service!

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Enjoy these best romantic places in Moscow!

Although there is no such thing as a perfect time or place for love to blossom, it can be quite beneficial if the setting matches your emotions. Choose from these romantic places in Moscow and enjoy your time with your Russian date.

If you haven’t found your ideal match yet, don’t worry! TrulyRussian has all the decent and gorgeous Russian singles — and one of them could be your Happily Ever After. Sign up today!

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

7-day Moscow itinerary

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

things to do in Moscow in one week

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

travel itinerary for one week in Moscow

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

exploring Moscow

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

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Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

things to do in Moscow in seven days

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

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Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

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MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

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Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

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I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

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Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

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Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

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Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

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Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

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Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

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DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

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Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

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The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

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Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

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Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

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Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

couples therapy homework pdf

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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couples therapy homework pdf

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Moscow Facts & Worksheets

Moscow, russian moskva, is the capital and most populated city of russia, situated in the westward part of the country., search for worksheets.

Moscow Worksheets

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Table of Contents

Moscow , Russian Moskva, is the capital and most populated city of Russia , situated in the westward part of the country. Moscow is not just the political capital city of Russia but also the industrial, cultural, scientific, and educational capital. For more than 600 years, Moscow also has been the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

See the fact file below for more information on the Moscow or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Moscow worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Description.

  • The city area is about 30 km in diameter and the population reaches to almost 10 million people.
  • Moscow was first mentioned in the chronicles of 1147, where it played an important role in Russian history.
  • The people of Moscow are known as Muscovites.
  • Moscow is famous for its architecture, especially its historical buildings such as Saint Basil’s Cathedral .
  • Moscow is a city with the most money in Russia and the third biggest budget in the world.
  • Moscow began as a medieval city and developed into what was known as the Grand Duchy of Moscow, an administrative region ruled by a prince.
  • Moscow is where all Russia’s tensions and inequalities meet to coexist, producing a unique feeling of a city that looks European but feels somewhat Asian in its mood and intensity.
  • In 1147 Moscow was called Moskov, which sounds closer to its current name. Moscow was derived from the Moskva river, on which the city is located. The Finno-Ugric tribes, who originally inhabited the territory, named the river Mustajoki, in English: Black River, which was presumably how the name of the city originated.
  • Several theories were proposed on the origin of the name of the river however linguists cannot come to any agreement and those theories haven’t been proven yet.
  • The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 as a meeting place of Yuri Dolgoruky and Sviatoslav Olgovich. Muscovites today consider Prince Yury Dolgoruky their city’s founding father, but it was only recorded that he dined with friends in the town.
  • In 1156, led by Knjaz Yury Dolgoruky, the town was barricaded with a timber fence and a moat. In the course of the Mongol invasion of Rus, the Mongols under Batu Khan burned the city to the ground and killed its inhabitants.
  • Nevertheless, Moscow was restored and became more important. Yet the Mongols came back in 1382 and burned Moscow City again.
  • Still, Moscow shortly recovered and In the 15th century, it probably gained a population of about 50,000. But, unfortunately, in 1571 the Crimean Tatars burned Moscow again.
  • By 1712, Tsar Peter the Great decided to move his capital to St. Petersburg from Moscow. With this, Moscow began a period of dissolution. In the 1770s Moscow suffered an outbreak of the bubonic plague. But still, Moscow University was successfully founded in 1755 and at the beginning of the 19th century, Moscow was prospering again.
  • Arbat Street at that time was also established. But then, Napoleon invaded Russia. The Muscovites, the retreating party, set their own city on fire by 1812 and it was rebuilt completely at the beginning of the 19th century.
  • During 1917 the Communists started a revolution in which they imposed a totalitarian government in Russia. By 1918, Lenin transferred his administration to Moscow.
  • After Lenin, the tyrant Josef Stalin governed the city. Under his regime, several historic buildings in the city were destroyed. Nevertheless, the first line of the Metro opened in 1935.
  • By June 1941, the Germans had invaded Russia and had arrived on the outskirts of Moscow by December. As they arrived, they suddenly  turned back.
  • After the Second World War , Moscow continued prospering even though many nations boycotted the Moscow Olympics in 1980.
  • Fortunately, Communism collapsed in Russia in 1991 and in 1997 Moscow celebrated its 850th anniversary.
  • Moscow is situated on the banks of the Moskva River, which flows through the East European Plain in central Russia. Teplostanskaya highland is the city’s highest point at 255 meters (837 feet). The width of Moscow city (not limiting MKAD) from west to east is 39.7 km (24.7 mi), and the length from north to south is 51.8 km (32.2 mi).
  • Moscow has a humid continental climate with long, cold winters usually lasting from mid-November through the end of March, and warm summers .
  • Moscow is the financial center of Russia and home to the country’s largest banks and many of its largest companies, such as natural gas giant Gazprom.
  • The Cherkizovsky marketplace was the largest marketplace in Europe , with a daily turnover of about thirty million dollars and about ten thousand venders from different countries including China and India .
  • Many new business centers and office buildings have been built in recent years, but Moscow still experiences shortages in office space.
  • With this, many former industrial and research facilities are being reconstructed to become suitable for office use.
  • In totality, economic stability has developed in recent years. But, crime and corruption still hinder business growth.
  • Saint Basil’s Cathedral is famed as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed amongst the locals. It served as one of the crucial landmarks of Moscow.
  • Location: Krasnaya Square, 2, Moscow 109012, Russia
  • Moscow Kremlin serves as the home in which all these tourist sites reside. It encompasses almost all the famous sightseeing attractions such as the royal residence of the President of Russia.
  • Location: Moscow, Russia
  • Red Square separates the royal citadel of Kremlin from the ancient merchant quarter of Kitai-gorod, one of the most interesting places in Moscow. Bearing the weight of Russia’s history to a great extent, Red Square serves not just as an attraction but as the heart, soul, and symbol of the whole country.
  • Location: Krasnaya Ploshchad, Moscow, Russia

Moscow Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Moscow across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Moscow worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Moscow, Russian Moskva, which is the capital and most populated city of Russia, situated in the westward part of the country. Moscow is not just the political capital city of Russia but also the industrial, cultural, scientific, and educational capital. For more than 600 years, Moscow also has been the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

couples therapy homework pdf

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Moscow Facts
  • Moscow Breaking News
  • Moscow Basic Info
  • Moscow’s Significant Events
  • Moscow Characteristics
  • Populous Cities
  • Sports Facts
  • Moscow Landmarks
  • Symbolization
  • Moscow Slogan

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IMAGES

  1. Couples Therapy Homework Planner, 2nd edition: Edited By: Arthur E

    couples therapy homework pdf

  2. Couples Therapy Homework Planner [With CDROM] by Gary M. Schultheis

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  3. Between Sessions

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  4. Free Printable Couples Therapy Worksheets

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  6. 21 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Techniques, & Activities (PDF)

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COMMENTS

  1. 21 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Questions & Activities (PDF)

    21 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Questions & Activities (PDF) 24 Nov 2017 by Courtney E. Ackerman, MA. Scientifically reviewed by Tiffany Sauber Millacci, Ph.D. What if I told you there was a magic recipe for making a relationship work? I'm sure you wouldn't believe me, and for good reason! It's easy to see how difficult relationships can be.

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  3. PDF The Couples Communica0on Workbook

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    5 Couples Therapy Worksheets & Exercises (+ PDF) Couples therapy is an effective way to strengthen the bond between partners, improve communication, and work through issues that may be causing relationship distress.

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    Latest Couples Worksheets For Therapists Couples Gratitude Journal Worksheet GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC Participating in couples counseling is challenging, but can also be very beneficial when utilized properly. Couples often struggle with relationship challenges that can affect the way they relate to each other and show appreciation for each other.

  6. 21 Best Couples Counseling Exercises, Techniques, & Worksheets

    Couples counseling is a type of psychotherapy that includes marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and family therapy (Gupta, 2021). It is typically a short-term form of counseling that can help partners improve their relationship at any stage.

  7. Marriage Counseling Toolkit: 30 Couples Therapy Worksheets

    20 Helpful Questions for Your Sessions. In Gottman and Silver's excellent book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999), John Gottman describes how, after observing a couple's interaction for only 15 minutes, he can predict the likelihood that they will remain together. And, surprisingly, he is almost always right. When researchers tested his predictions, he was 91% accurate.

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    EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY wITH SUE JOHNSON, EDD Table of Contents Tips for Making the Best Use of the DVD 5 Johnson's Approach to Emotionally focused Couples Therapy 9 Johnson's Reflections on the Session 11 Reaction Paper for Classrooms and Training 15 Related Websites, Videos, and further Readings 17 Discussion Questions 19

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  11. 25 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Questions & Activities

    25 Couples Therapy Worksheets, Questions & Activities By Rachael Pace, Author 6.6k Reads Updated: 18 Aug, 2023 What is couples therapy and what is couples counseling? What type of therapy is best for married couples? Relationship evaluation checklist 25 couple therapy worksheets and activities Couple therapy questions Conclusion

  12. 31 Fun Couples Therapy Exercises for Bonding and Communication

    Couple's Pursuit is a fun, printable therapy game with multiple conversation prompts and activities. Think of it as a Trivial Pursuit-inspired game for couples, crossed with Pictionary, Taboo, and 20 questions. The goal is to beat the game as a couple, completing brief relationship-building tasks and filling up the wedges of your wheels ...

  13. Couples Therapy Homework Planner, 2nd Edition

    978-1-119-23068-7 November 2015 $65.95 DESCRIPTION Features new and updated assignments and exercises to meet the changing needs of mental health professionals The Couples Therapy Homework Planner, Second Edition provides you with an array of ready-to-use, between-session assignments designed to fit virtually every therapeutic mode.

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  15. PDF Workbook for Couples

    The PREPARE/ENRICH Workbook for Couples is a complement to your assessment results. It contains skill-building . exercises that will help you to understand and apply the insights from the assessment. The exercises consist of ques-tions to both ponder individually and discuss as a couple plus activities to do together. Begin with the recommended

  16. PDF 23 Couples Therapy Techniques & Exercises

    You can download the pdf to use and keep with you. Soul Gazing Face your spouse while you're both seated. Move so close that your knees are nearly touching, and look into each other's eyes. Hold this eye contact for three to five minutes. It's okay - you can blink! Although, refrain from talking. Simply look into each other's eyes.

  17. 5 Thoughtful Homework Assignments for Couples in Therapy

    5 Thoughtful Homework Assignments for Couples in Therapy As a therapist, I've seen the most success with couples in therapy when they are able to put in some work on their own. That's why I want to share 5 exercises that you can do at home that will help strengthen your relationship, resolve conflict, and improve communication. Write a Letter

  18. PDF Arthur E. Jongsma, Jr., Series Editor

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    It even has a magnificently illuminated ice skating rink in the winter. All year round, this is an ideal location for a date. 4. Brix Wine Bar. Photo from the Brix Restaurant website. Brix is a great place to grab a glass of wine and have an intimate conversation if you're seeking a romantic place in Moscow.

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    Day 6 - Explore the Golden Ring. Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a "theme route" devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

  21. PDF General overview

    initiation of cancer therapy [Report on the state of the environment in the city of Moscow in 2022, Department of Economic Policy and Development of the city of Moscow, unpublished data, 2022]. The three most important topics for collaboration within the Regions for Health Network These are: 1.

  22. Communication Worksheets

    Back-to-Back Drawing Activity. worksheet. The back-to-back drawing communication exercise will get your groups and couples working together, talking, and thinking about how they communicate. Groups are split into pairs of "listeners" and "speakers". The speaker will describe an image for the listener to draw, but the listener cannot speak.

  23. Moscow Facts, Worksheets, Description & Etymology For Kids

    The Muscovites, the retreating party, set their own city on fire by 1812 and it was rebuilt completely at the beginning of the 19th century. During 1917 the Communists started a revolution in which they imposed a totalitarian government in Russia. By 1918, Lenin transferred his administration to Moscow.