These couples tend to be VERY passionate in general – where both fights and intimacy tends to be INTENSE. Partners in this type of couple MUST be able to identify & communicate their emotional experiences clearly & in a way their Partner can hear. If both Partners are able to practice these communication skills, they can keep themselves out of “Red Zone Anger” - where People tend to “fight dirty.”  This type of Couple MUST learn to have conflict fairly & productively so the tendency to "figh t dirty" can be avoided because it destroys trust & safety in the relationship. 

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These couples tend to get stuck in the “Storming Phase” of relationship development because they rely on fighting for emotional intimacy, rather than learning how to access vulnerable & honest feelings before they turn into anger. To grow past this barrier, Partners must learn to communicate vulnerable thoughts and feelings at a lower intensity, as well as learn conflict resolution skills to decrease tension when needed. The more each Partner learns to regulate themselves & communicate those needs directly to their Partner, the easier it is to turn that tension from conflict into opportunities for growth & intimacy - but in a way that ALSO increases trust & mutual respect at the same time.