The 12 Stages of Courtship: Building Healthy and Lasting Relationships

Without guidance about courtship, many of us learn through trial and error — often repeating the same unhealthy patterns. Dr. Patrick Carnes offers a framework of 12 stages of courtship that can help us understand how relationships form and, more importantly, how they can be nurtured over time. Whether you’re single, dating, or in a long-term partnership, these stages highlight what keeps love alive.