How to Do An Effective Timeout

Timeouts are an effective tool that couples can use when things are really heated and starting to get out of control. However, so many couples use time outs the wrong way.

In today's Three Minutes with Stuart video, Stuart goes in detail on how to do an effective timeout. He points out some of the ways couples go about doing the timeout incorrectly, and then demonstrates how timeouts should work by providing several examples.

This is the timeout method that The Couples Expert gives to his clients in his counseling practice in Scottsdale, AZ.

If you are interested in the print out Stuart mentions in the video, please email him at [e-mail] with 'Please send me the time out handout from your video' in the subject line.

One of the main take aways from today's video is that Time outs are NOT meant to repair the relationship. Time outs are for preventing further damage to the relationship by allowing the partner who is out of control, or feeling like they are losing control the opportunity to calm down before revisiting the issue that is topic of the conflict.