Using Roads Projective Cards in Couples Therapy: Two Exercises to Improve Communication
Introduction: Why Communication Is Often Stuck in Couples Therapy
Couples often struggle with communication challenges, feeling stuck in patterns of misunderstanding, avoidance, or conflict. These patterns can lead to frustration, emotional disconnection, and questioning the relationship’s future. While talk therapy is essential, some couples find it difficult to articulate feelings, especially during emotionally charged conversations.
Projective cards, like the Roads cards, provide a visual and symbolic tool that helps couples explore their emotions, reflect on their interactions, and practice communication skills in a safe and structured way.
Exercise 1: Mapping the Relationship Journey
Objective: Reveal communication patterns and emotional blocks across the relationship timeline.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Ask the couple to select 3–5 Roads cards representing key phases of their relationship (e.g., the beginning, a turning point, and the present).
Invite them to arrange the cards in sequence on a table.
For each card, guide discussion:
“How did you communicate your feelings at this stage?”
“Which messages were misunderstood or unspoken?”
“What patterns do you notice in how you respond to each other?”
Highlight patterns such as avoidance, criticism, withdrawal, or unspoken needs.
Prompts for Questions:
“What did you wish your partner had understood at this moment?”
“How could you have expressed your feelings more clearly?”
“What patterns repeat in your communication?”
Benefits:
Couples gain clarity on communication patterns and triggers.
Encourages empathy as partners hear each other’s perspectives.
Helps identify concrete steps for improving dialogue.
Suggested Internal Link:
Learn more about the Roads projective cards here.
Exercise 2: Exploring Communication Pathways for the Future
Objective: Practice expressing needs and feelings clearly, envisioning healthier communication.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Ask the couple to select 3–4 Roads cards representing possible paths forward in their relationship.
Invite discussion for each card:
“What would you like to express to your partner?”
“How could your partner best receive this message?”
Role-play conversations using the cards as prompts: one partner speaks, the other reflects back, then switch roles.
Prompts for Questions:
“Which path aligns with your ideal communication style?”
“What obstacles prevent clear communication?”
“How can you validate each other’s feelings, even in disagreement?”
Benefits:
Provides a safe space to experiment with communication techniques.
Encourages active listening, reflection, and empathy.
Supports collaborative problem-solving and decision-making.
Suggested Internal Link:
Consider combining with the River cards for deeper emotional exploration.
Key Takeaways
The Roads cards are a flexible tool for couples therapy, helping clients communicate emotions they struggle to verbalize.
Exercises are adaptable to each couple’s unique challenges—therapists can adjust prompts, sequencing, and card selection as needed.
Benefits include enhanced emotional expression, clearer dialogue, empathy, and insight into communication patterns.
Mental health professionals can integrate these exercises into therapy sessions for relationship counseling, conflict resolution, and emotional exploration.
