Couples Strengths Exploration Worksheet
GinaMarie Guarino, LMHC
Helping a couple build a strong connection involves bringing awareness of the qualities that make a relationship strong. Each partner brings strengths to a relationship that encourage it to grow and thrive. Helping a couple build awareness of their partner's strengths can help them reinforce a strong connection.
Exploring strengths in therapy can be a powerful tool for encouraging couples to build a secure, safe foundation in their relationship. It can help partners resolve conflicts, work together to solve problems, and boost appreciation for each other.
About This Worksheet
Encouraging a couple to identify and celebrate each other’s strengths can promote a safe and enriching connection between partners. The Couples Strengths worksheet encourages partners to build a habit of focusing on each other’s positive qualities to build a healthy bond. Taking time to appreciate a partner’s strengths helps the couple build awareness of each other’s values, qualities, and positive attributes that they contribute to the relationship.
The Couples Strengths worksheet is helpful for adults in couples counseling. It offers a homework exercise that involves daily reflection to build awareness of their partner’s strengths.
Instructions
Provide each partner with a copy of the worksheet and review the introduction and directions with the couple. Explain how reflecting on their partner’s strengths can help build healthier connections and improve connectedness and security in the relationship.
Instruct each partner to practice the exercise by filling out the first row. Then, review their responses with them. Assign the worksheet as a homework assignment, encouraging the couple to reflect on how each strength helps strengthen the relationship.
When the couple returns for the following session, allow each partner to share their entries. Instruct them to answer the following questions for each strength:
- How does this strength affect the relationship?
- When do you most appreciate this strength in your partner?
- If needed, what would using this strength in a more balanced way look like?
Provide the couple with a copy of their completed worksheets. Encourage them to continue reflecting on and expressing appreciation for each other’s strengths to continue exploring their strengths as a couple.
References
Habenicht, S., & Schutte, N. S. (2023). The Impact of Recognizing a Romantic Partner's Character Strengths on Relationship Satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies.
Kashdan, T. B., Blalock, D. V., Young, K. C., Machell, K. A., Monfort, S. S., McKnight, P. E., & Ferssizidis, P. (2018). Personality strengths in romantic relationships: Measuring perceptions of benefits and costs and their impact on personal and relational well-being. Psychological Assessment, 30(2), 241.
