Happy for the Long Haul
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Product Details
Publisher: GFB
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Formats: Paperback, Ebook
ISBN: PB: 978-1-967510-84-9; EB: 978-1-967510-85-6
Trim: 6 × 9
Page Count: 222
A Practical Guide to Creating a Marriage That Goes the Distance
Iona Monk, MA
The average couple goes to therapy seven years too late—but with Happy for the Long Haul, there’s no need to wait.
From seasoned couples therapist Iona Monk, MA, this guide offers deeply human and relatable insight for building a relationship that stands the test of time.
Drawing on twenty-five years of clinical practice and almost thirty years of marriage, Monk offers proven tools and strategies that will help readers identify, name, and dismantle the toxic barriers that undermine trust, intimacy, and understanding in relationships. Real-life stories and practical exercises illustrate:
How to get unstuck after blocked connection
How good intentions can go bad and how to prevent it from happening in the first place
How to create a secure foundation for maintaining a loving and satisfying relationship
With clarity, humor, and insight, Happy for the Long Haul will empower couples to restore closeness and communication in their relationships from the comfort of their own homes in order to build a bond that goes the distance.
About the Author
Iona Monk, MA, is a registered clinical counselor with more than twenty-five years of experience working with couples and individuals. She is the cocreator of the popular podcast “Relationship Dish,” where she openly discusses her own relationship to help listeners reduce shame or stigma about their struggles. Monk holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of British Columbia and specializes in emotionally focused couples therapy and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy. She currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and dog.
Visit the author’s website at www.ionamonkcouplestherapy.com
Reviews
“This is not just a self-help book; this is a master class in couples therapy. Within these pages, you’ll read the kind of relationship advice you get from years of therapy. Iona even shares how she overcame her own marriage struggles, and it feels like you are hearing it from a friend who also happens to be a therapist. Anyone who wants to improve their relationship should read this book.” —Carla Litto, LMFT, author of Outsmarting Egomaniacs
“In a world that so often works to separate us from one another and from our own hearts, Happy for the Long Haul offers a refreshing path back to love. Filled with insight, compassion, and practical guidance, this book helps couples move beyond the limitations of ego and toward deeper connection, trust, and understanding. It is both a hopeful reminder and a valuable resource for anyone who wants to build a relationship that not only endures but flourishes.” —Elana Epstein, social worker, recovery coach, and author of Today I Will Be Fearless
“As a fellow clinician, I know how rare it is to find a book that bridges the gap between the therapy room and the living room—but Iona Monk has done exactly that. Happy for the Long Haul distills twenty-five years of clinical wisdom into something every couple can actually use. What makes it stand apart is Iona’s willingness to be both the expert and the patient: She doesn’t just teach the tools; she lives them. The result is a book that feels honest, grounded, and genuinely useful whether you’re in crisis, coasting, or somewhere in between. I’ll be recommending this to clients for years to come.” —Pam Stewart, RCC, cohost of Relationship Dish