One of trickiest challenges in a relationship is to successfully find a balance between the need to be close and connected as a "we", while at the same time respecting each person’s desire to be a separate and independent, self, or "i". This is so vital and lies underneath so many couples’ struggles that we have developed* a publication entitled, Stepping Stones To Intimacy. This leaflet outlines six stages of progress towards the goal of balancing interdependence, the "we", with independence, the "i".

Creative Concept: Ellyn Bader PhD., Peter Pearson PhD., Peter M. Krohn MFT and Marianne Stefancic MFT. © 1977 Synthesized from the book, In Quest of the Mythical Mate, by Ellyn Bader PhD., and Peter Pearson PhD., Founders of The Couples Institute.

NB: Another book by Ellyn Bader and Peter Pearson PhDs., entitled, "Tell Me No Lies", has been written for couples and is a great resource for ways to enhance relationships.