Want a Better Relationship? Start with These Three Skills

At Bell Family Therapy, I’ve found that no matter who walks through my virtual door—couples at a crossroads, individuals trying to reconnect with their partner, or those navigating the aftermath of betrayal—there are three communication skills that change everything: validation, listening, and curiosity. These are the tools I bring with me from years of working with couples and families. They aren’t just therapy techniques—they’re life skills that can reshape how we show up in our most important relationships.

Validation is the first step toward emotional safety. It’s not about agreeing with everything your partner says—it’s about letting them know their feelings make sense. When we feel validated, we relax. The conversation shifts from attack and defense to understanding and care. I teach couples how to use validation in the heat of the moment—when it’s hardest but also most healing.

Listening is the foundation of all connection. Not passive listening, but full-body, fully-present listening. So many couples come to therapy thinking they’re hearing each other when they’re really just waiting for their turn to talk. I help them slow down, reflect back, and listen for what’s really being said—beneath the frustration, the silence, or the tears.

And then there’s curiosity. When partners take a curious stance—asking “What’s really going on here?” instead of rushing to blame—they open the door to transformation. Curiosity interrupts assumptions and invites new meaning. It keeps love from turning cold and distance from turning permanent. I help couples re-learn this stance, even when things feel stuck or hopeless.

Bell Family Therapy serves clients throughout Dallas and across the state of Texas through secure, virtual sessions. If you’re struggling in your relationship, you don’t have to figure it out alone. These three tools—validation, listening, and curiosity—could be the key to getting unstuck and growing closer.

Interested in working with Sileta Bell? Schedule a Consultation Today.

Sileta Bell is a Marriage and Family Therapist Associate based in Dallas, TX. She specializes in working with couples at a crossroads—those navigating marital conflict, betrayal, facing divorce and high-stakes decisions. Through Bell Family Therapy, she offers virtual sessions to individuals and couples across Texas.