July 26, 2026 · 2 min read · by Dr Glenn Graves
How to Show Tender Love and Care (TLC) to Your Partner
TLC to most couples is mentioned casually in passing as a hint or gesture of something desired but not really expected in this fast paced cosmopolitan lifestyle. It hardly evokes the real response it was intended for and is so deeply needed in all relationships.
Some might not recognise it as an action word and think of only as a catchy acronym. But if you look, each of the letters in TLC represent an action.
Be Tender
Give Love
Act with Care
TLC can apply to every aspect of a relationship, not just the sexual dynamic. You can apply TLC to planning a holiday or doing your taxes together. It's starting point is an attitude towards loving your partner. For example "Acts of Service" should be sacrificial. While she might think you sweet for the flowers your bought on your way home from work, finding out they were next to the cashier in 7-11, when you were buying a newspaper, might make the gesture nosedive.
As a counsellor I was asked to offer some insight into TLC and rather than re-invent the wheel, I would like to just offer some points from the experts who have gone before me. These are excerpts from a book titled Ten Commandments for Every Aspect of Your Relationship Journey by Jeffrey Zeig and Tami Kulbatski.
— DR. STAN TATKIN
— DR. AYALA PINES
— DR. PAT LOVE
— DR. LISA FIRESTONE
— DR. TAMI KULBATSKI
— DR. MICHAEL YAPKO AND DIANE YAPKO
— DR. JON CARLSON
The above are self explanatory but if you want to go above and beyond these and don't know what TLC means to your partner... just ask them.
Our counsellors are on hand to provide couples therapy and marriage counselling, and would love to help you and your partner through any issues or struggles you are dealing with. Feel free to contact us for an appointment.
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