TOPIC: HOW TO DEAL WITH A LOVED ONE WITH CHRONIC PAIN GUEST: JACKIE BLACK, PH.D., BCC

Dr. Jackie Black is a marriage expert, educator and Board Certified Coach, serving Couples Facing Life-Threatening and Chronic Illness, and Chronic Pain.

Dr. Jackie Black is the creator of the 7-Week, Online Program, Couples Daring to Live Well (with illness) Program™, and the 3-Day Private Destination Retreat, Couples Daring to Live Well (with illness) Retreat™.

She also serves private clients, and is an author, speaker and frequent guest expert on summits, podcasts and radio throughout the world.

(Please listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript to hear explanations, stories and examples.)

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE TO LEARN ABOUT:

"Surprising numbers of people are living with chronic pain and chronic illness. Yet, we don't talk about it and people don't know." by Dr. Jackie Black

• How chronic illness and pain affects everybody.
• How when a couple is dealing with chronic illness and pain, the relationship takes a huge hit. There are often supports for the person and their loved one, but no one focuses on the relationship.

"A diagnosis is a shock. No one is ever prepared." by Dr. Jackie Black.

• How people react to crisis in different ways. Partners have different experiences of the same circumstance. Partners have different needs and priorities, and sometime their needs are competing.
• How people are often afraid, overwhelmed, and are not talking to each other.
• How a couple's EQ (emotional intelligence) is being tested. Couples often do not have effective tools for how to deal with all the emotions involved. Old coping mechanisms and defensive processes stop working.

"Being happily married for decades doesn't protect you from the inevitable challenges you face being a couple living with illness or chronic pain." by Dr. Jackie Black.

• The two powerful myths that couples are faced with when dealing with chronic illness and pain.
• The myth busting techniques to help partner's strengthen their connection.
• The top 4 reasons people can get caught in common traps when dealing with chronic illness and pain.

"Relational space is sacred space." by Dr. Jackie Black.

• How weak or non-existent agreements and commitments negatively impact a couple with illness, and the importance of bilateral agreements.
• The importance of understanding partner's needs and values.
• How to increase self-knowledge and why is it so beneficial to the relationship.

MENTIONED:

• Dr. Jackie Black (website)

TRANSCRIPT: ERP 154: HOW TO GET RELATIONAL SUPPORT WHEN DEALING WITH ILLNESS & CHRONIC PAIN WITH DR. JACKIE BLACK [TRANSCRIPT]

Click on this link to access the transcript for this episode: ERP 154: How to Get Relational Support When Dealing with Illness & Chronic Pain with Dr. Jackie Black

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Thank you so much for your interest in improving your relationship. Learning how to deal with a loved one with chronic pain takes emotional support and deep understanding to help couples build a strong bond and love for each other.

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