This free lesson, developed by the Utah Marriage Commission, focuses on helping couples understand that conflict is a normal part of relationships and not inherently bad. What matters most is how disagreements are handled. It teaches participants to recognize unhelpful or destructive conflict behaviors (like yelling, withdrawal, criticism, or contempt) and instead adopt healthy conflict management strategies such as choosing the right time to talk, active listening, expressing needs with “I” statements, seeking mutual understanding, brainstorming win-win solutions, and approaching disagreements as opportunities to strengthen the relationship rather than “win” the argument. Healthy conflict management skills aim to improve communication, reduce hostility, and build deeper connection and cooperation between partners.