Let's Talk Communication

Amber Brooks

By: Amber Brooks

Editor: Lillian Castro

Posted:

Ever wondered why some couples just click so well? It’s most likely because they have such great communication. Just ask our experts. Learning to communicate your thoughts and concerns in the right way can do wonders for any relationship.

As it happens, our writers help educate readers to do just that. Below, you’ll learn to foster healthy communication and strengthen relationships through mutual understanding.

It’s time to mend the disconnect. By applying our advice, couples can better listen, respond, and resolve conflict. Whether you need active listening techniques or emotional regulation strategies, you’ll find the insights to help you build communication rooted in honesty and respect.

Here you can discover ways to overcome everything from misunderstandings to more sensitive subjects like sexual challenges. Our writers also explore communication in the digital world, giving readers insight into the best ways to strike up conversations online.

320 Results

What Our Experts Say:

1.
What “Open Relationship” Means to Different People
Dr. Frankie Bashan

Dr. Frankie Bashan

Open relationships seem more popular than ever. Many of us know people who are dating non-monogamously, and if we don't, we're watching reality TV shows about finding a third.  As a sex therapist and relationship coach, I'm frequently fielding questions about how non-monogamy works and whether it might be right for my clients, from singles on the apps to longtime couples.  What does it actually mean...

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2.
Knowing When to Stop Messaging & Meet in Person
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

Great “texting chemistry” doesn’t always translate to in-person attraction. You might be having a great textual relationship with someone you met on an app. You send multiple messages a day, share memes, exchange gifs or emojis.   Then, suddenly, it tapers off and disappears. What happened? Well, it could've been a couple of things. I’ll break down what can happen if you're messaging...

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3.
What “Poly-Friendly” Actually Means on a Dating App
Dr. Frankie Bashan

Dr. Frankie Bashan

If you're diving in for the first time, dating apps can be hugely intimidating. Anxiety about dating apps is a very common theme for my clients.  Sometimes, it can feel like learning a whole new language to parse the acronyms, shorthand, and ever-evolving terminology of the modern dating world, from NSA (no strings attached) to ENM (ethical non-monogamy).  One term you might have seen floating around...

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4.
How to Manage Multiple Dating App Conversations (Without Burning Out)
Dr. Wendy Walsh

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Love those dating apps! The choices. The choices. The glorious choices in mates. Having the opportunity to meet so many people so easily can be exhilarating! Honestly, with such a buffet of potential partners, sometimes it feels like those dating apps are raining men (or women, for that matter). Swipe. Swipe. Swipe. Match. Match. Match. Love seems to be everywhere. And yet you’re still swiping. What gives? Let...

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5.
7 Green Flags of an Emotionally Available Date
Amie Leadingham

Amie Leadingham

For years, I dated men who could talk a big game. They’d promise me the world with their words, tell me how perfect I was for them, and paint this fairytale picture of our future together.  One ex in particular would describe the life we’d build down to the names of our future pets. And right when things were starting to get serious, I noticed his actions told a completely different story. I was so sick...

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6.
How to Go From First Message to First Date (Exact Messaging Timeline)
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

Men appreciate processes. Leaning into the logical side of our brain, we look for fixes and understandable pathways. That can be great for engineering, but it doesn’t quite work so well with human emotions.   Logic doesn't always align with falling in love. For those who may not consider themselves to have a high emotional intelligence, navigating the world of dating and flirting can seem downright...

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7.
Open Relationships 101: How to Ask Your Partner to Go Poly With You
Dr. Frankie Bashan

Dr. Frankie Bashan

Maybe you've always been interested in ethical nonmonogamy but have never had a chance to try it. Maybe you've become newly intrigued after getting to know more nonmonogamous people. Being exposed to the lifestyle as part of a new friend group or new romantic interest can be exciting…But if you're already in a monogamous relationship, pursuing this interest requires a conversation with your partner about opening...

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8.
Is AI Ruining Dating? A Retrospective & Look Ahead at Tech’s Involvement in Romance
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

When coaching singles, I like to say that dating is a mix of biology, sociology, psychology, and anthropology. And now it’s also about technology. With the ascendance of AI, it’s reaching into almost every aspect of our lives, including dating and relationships.   So I wanted to give you a bit of a “state of the union” article on what’s going on in my particular industry with AI.  I’ll share some...

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9.
How to Handle Your Partner’s Family: Q&A With Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

The holiday season is full of joy, love, laughter, and the occasional awkward tension between extended family members.  Sometimes emotions run high (especially if the booze is running freely at a holiday gathering), and you might feel the need to do damage control between your family and your significant other. Or maybe you’re more like me and try to stay far far away from the drama. I’ve seen spouses get...

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10.
Honesty Is the New Sexy: 47% of Singles Rank Honesty as the Most Important Relationship Trait
Lynn Cadet

Lynn Cadet

Nearly half (47%) of surveyed U.S. singles rank honesty as the most important trait in a romantic partner, according to The State of Us: National Study on Modern Love & Dating in 2025, a survey conducted in partnership by DatingAdvice.com and the Kinsey Institute. Our survey asked 2,000 American singles to select the three most important traits they prioritize in a romantic partner. Honesty outranked physical...

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11.
Why Do Lesbians Move In So Quickly? 7 Tips to Put on the Brakes
Ashayla Blakely

Ashayla Blakely

I'm sure you've heard that old joke: “What does a lesbian bring on a second date? A U-Haul.”  It’s a running gag that’s been floating around queer spaces for decades. Yes, it’s a funny stereotype, but it actually touches on something very real. Many lesbian couples do move in together quickly. But why? "Met in the summer, moved across the country together that winter. That was like 15 years ago and we're...

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12.
Breaking the Ice: Navigating Kink Conversations for Newbies
Gloria Brame

Gloria Brame

You'd like to enjoy some kink in your life. Perhaps you've always had these desires or are curious about exploring them for the first time with someone special.  The practical reality of starting that conversation is daunting. When is the right moment to tell someone new? How do you introduce a long-term partner to kink? And, most importantly, how can you navigate it without shame?  As a sex therapist...

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13.
What Is Effective Communication for Relationships?
Amber Brooks

Amber Brooks

When it comes to relationships, communication is crucial. Think about it this way: You can’t have a relationship with another person without ever communicating with them in some way.  It helps if you literally speak the same language. My aunt was raised speaking Japanese while my uncle grew up speaking Spanish. When they met in their 20s, English was a second language for both of them, but it became their...

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14.
Neurodiverse Couples, Embrace Your Differences With These Communication Tips
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: If you’re neurodivergent, then you understand just how challenging it can be to explain your perspective to others. Benjamin Meyer, a licensed clinical social worker, couples counselor, and fellow neurodivergent individual, told us how couples can overcome communication barriers and sensory issues when one or both people are neurodiverse.  “The other kids just know how to fit in. Why can’t...

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15.
A Therapist Reflects on Relationships in 40 Years of Couples Counseling
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: Linda Bloom LCSW has been helping couples lead healthier relationships since 1975, and while a lot has changed, relationships are facing many of the same stressors they did nearly five decades ago. Linda filled us in on the changes and how modern couples can seek closer connection.  Don’t tell my parents, but the 1980s were 40 years ago. And a lot has changed since then. My parents are...

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16.
What Is a Remote Relationship? Love in the Age of Technology
Mackenzie Buck

Mackenzie Buck

If love is a battlefield, then long-distance relationships are the trenches — and my aunt and uncle were the toughest soldiers on the field. I’ll never forget the Christmas we sat on the couch next to the glow of the fireplace, and I listened to them tell me the story of their love.  They met during senior year of high school, in a small town in Kentucky, then ended up enrolling in colleges on complete opposite...

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17.
A Therapist’s Unique Approach to Couples Counseling Involves a Weekend Getaway
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Every couple encounters obstacles in their relationship. Why not face them on a weekend getaway? Dr. Dana McNeil offers Therapy Getaway Intensives through her practice at The Relationship Place. When you’re away from home, you and your partner can address your problems and receive important conflict resolution tools from Dana.  Dr. Dana McNeil helped people overcome different types of...

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18.
What Is Active Listening? And How Can It Fix Your Relationship?
Mackenzie Buck

Mackenzie Buck

I’m coming in hot with a story to start us off. On the way to get tacos, my ex and I once got into an argument about an encounter we had with his friends a few weeks before. Over drinks, these friends had launched into a discussion about someone who had hooked up with “a lot of fat women.” Except it wasn’t just an observation — they were shaming this person for their dating habits, and it came across very fatphobic...

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19.
What Are the 5 Love Languages? Tips for Improving Relationships
Anggi Pradhini

Anggi Pradhini

Falling in love at first sight is all too easy. Staying in love is another matter entirely. A healthy relationship requires lifelong effort from both partners to keep the connection going strong. Much like those flowers you got for Valentine’s Day, a beautiful love can wilt if you don’t regularly work on your relationship. That initial desire can fade, and before you know it, what was once a whirlwind romance can...

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20.
What Our Ancestors Can Tell Us About Our Future Romantic Relationships
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Our ancestors are long gone, but they continue to inform our relationships — even romantic ones. FamilySearch, a non-profit organization that offers genealogical resources, provides insights into people’s inherited behavioral patterns. FamilySearch’s Senior Marketing Manager, Heidi Camacho, explained how our past can affect our romantic futures.  I’ve always been curious about my ancestors,...

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21.
What Is Conflict Resolution? Its Role in Dating & Relationship Success
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

Here’s a question for everyone in a long-term relationship: What was your first fight about?  The first real conflict I had with my first boyfriend was about a weekend road trip. A blizzard was supposed to hit the same weekend, but he still wanted to go. I felt our safety was at risk; he felt that our already-paid-for weekend trip was at risk.  Conflict resolution happens when each person makes an...

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22.
Baring It All: How Talking About Sex Can Improve Your Love Life 
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Dr. Mindy DeSeta’s distinct background as a sexologist with connections to the sex product industry gives her insight into the mental and physical aspects of sex. With her help, talking about sex — to yourself, your partner, and even your kids — can be an emotionally fulfilling experience.  In many households, sex is a taboo topic. Honestly, I can understand why. It’s the epitome of intimacy and...

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23.
7 Good Love Questions to Ask a Girl
Hunt Ethridge

Hunt Ethridge

You’ve met a gal, and that’s great! She’s awesome and fun and gives you butterflies. But you aren’t really much of a talker… and you’ve never been accused of being romantic. After a beautiful day out, walking through the countryside and farmland, she turns to you and asks, “What are you thinking? Right now?”   You look at her and reply honestly, “Pigs are much bigger than you’d...

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24.
What Is Online Messaging? A Comprehensive Guide for Dating and Relationships
Mackenzie Buck

Mackenzie Buck

As someone with parents in their 50s, I spend a good amount of time during Thanksgivings, Christmases, and family vacations looking at the happily married couple walking hand in hand in front of me. And I can’t help but think they have no idea how lucky they are.  Yes, because they found each other, and yes, because they fall more and more in love with each other every day — but also because they didn’t date...

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25.
What Is Consent? Everything You Need to Know
Emma Estrada

Emma Estrada

I remember this one time in my early 20s when I was about to enter a huge rager outside of a cooperative house in Berkeley, California. I was an undergrad and very ready to party. Before my friends and I eagerly entered the fray, however, a young student said they had to give us the consent speech. I was confused. Consent speech? Are you paid for this? Will there be a quiz later? What is consent?...

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26.
“Needy is Normal,” According to this Relationship Coach
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: Ever been called needy? Podcast host and relationship coach Ali Jackson says you shouldn’t take it as a bad thing. Ali talked to us about why you shouldn’t shy away from your personal needs and how strong boundaries bring the right people in– and ward the wrong ones off. I like to believe that a lot of things that are really challenging at the moment will, eventually, be funny. When I was 19, I...

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27.
Why Candid Communication is Key to Overcoming Problems in Bed
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: A sex counselor with a doctorate in human sexuality, Dr. Martha Tara Lee has been guiding clients through sexual issues for 15 years. At Eros Coaching, she’s heard it all, from “shameful” physical intimacy hang-ups to hidden emotional roadblocks. Dr. Martha helps clients by explaining what they need in a candid, straightforward way. She teaches clients how to express their needs to their partner...

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28.
The Online Program Restoring & Strengthening Marriages
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: If you want to strengthen your marriage, Dr. Bill Harley advises you to build up the best parts of it. We talked to the psychologist, bestselling author, and marriage expert about why marriages may struggle and what you can do to restore your connection. My parents love watching movies together. They have a lot more time to watch movies now that three out of four of their kids have moved out of...

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29.
One of the Nation’s Top Couples Counselors Believes Some Couples Should Accept Divorce
Emma Patterson

Emma Patterson

The Short Version: Dr. D Ivan Young helps couples come to terms with their good and bad relationship habits. For couples to gain insight from counseling, they need to tackle their own personal baggage, establish emotional intelligence, and accept the possibility of failure. Dr. D’s goal isn’t to save your relationship, but to save each individual in the relationship.  There’s no such thing as a relationship...

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30.
Great Sex Starts With Vulnerable Conversations
Chloë Hylkema

Chloë Hylkema

The Short Version: Sexual disconnect can be confusing and disorientating for couples. Austin Cresap, a sex and relationship therapist at PNW Sex Therapy Collective and starting her own practice, I Came Here to Talk, talked to us about why couples may experience sexual discrepancies and how authentic and secure communication can help them through it. Communication is one of the biggest challenges couples face....

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Amber Brooks

By: Amber Brooks

Editor-in-Chief

Amber Brooks is the Editor-in-Chief at DatingAdvice.com. When she was growing up, her family teased her for being "boy crazy," but she preferred to think of herself as a budding dating and relationship expert. As an English major at the University of Florida, Amber honed her communication skills to write clearly, knowledgeably, and passionately about a variety of subjects. Now with over 1,800 lifestyle articles to her name, Amber brings her tireless wit and relatable experiences to DatingAdvice.com. She has been quoted by the Washington Times, Cosmopolitan, The New York Post, and AskMen, among others.

See Amber's full bio »

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