Oliver Drakeford Therapy has released new findings demonstrating a strong correlation between listening skills and relationship success, reinforcing the importance of communication in couples therapy in Los Angeles. The analysis, based on data from the practice's couples intimacy quiz, reveals that individuals who report their partner has strong listening skills are 43 times more likely to be in a "thriving relationship" category compared to couples who struggle with listening. This represents a dramatic shift from just 1 in 70 couples to nearly 2 in 3.
"The data from our couples intimacy quiz confirms what my team of couples therapists and I have seen and known for years," said Oliver Drakeford, Clinical Director of Oliver Drakeford Therapy. "Lasting intimacy is built on patterns of connection, and communication is at the heart of those patterns. When couples learn to truly listen, they create the foundation for growth, trust, and deeper emotional closeness."
Key research findings include that people who said their partners were good listeners are 17 times more likely to describe themselves as feeling "very emotionally connected." Additionally, "deep, meaningful conversations" occur 12 times more frequently when partners listen well, and individuals with attentive partners are 6 times more likely to feel comfortable expressing their emotional needs.
Oliver Drakeford, who has contributed to HuffPost and The Zoe Report on topics of intimacy, anxiety, and relationship health, emphasizes that professional support is often necessary. The research reveals that 75% of couples score below the "healthy" relationship threshold, underscoring the need for professional couples therapy. Los Angeles residents can access services from Oliver Drakeford Therapy to transform their relationship dynamics before joining the 1 in 9 participants who report feeling like they've given up trying to improve.
Oliver Drakeford Therapy specializes in helping couples improve communication, reduce conflict, and strengthen intimacy through couples counseling, communication coaching, conflict resolution skills, LGBTQ+ couples therapy in West Hollywood, and relationship anxiety therapy. Couples interested in improving communication can download a free relationship skills ebook at https://www.oliverdrakefordtherapy.com/couples.
Oliver Drakeford Therapy, located at 8702 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, CA, provides specialized marriage counseling, relationship coaching, and couples therapy in Los Angeles. Led by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Oliver Drakeford, the practice combines data-driven insights with proven therapeutic techniques to help couples build stronger, more intimate relationships. The practice's original research on relationship dynamics has assessed over 1,300 couples, informing approaches to helping couples in Los Angeles with relationship support.
