Couples & Relationships

4 Practical (and Fun) Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship This Holiday Season
November 18, 2024

The holidays bring all the joyful chaos: crowded schedules, too much food, and family members giving unsolicited advice. With all this added pressure, it’s easy to feel like you and your partner are more “survival teammates” than “seasoned soulmates.”...

Turning Toward: How Stressed Couples Can Support Each Other
July 9, 2024

In a world where stress is often a common household guest, managing our reactions and maintaining positive connections with our spouses can be challenging. However, learning to turn towards rather than away from each other during stressful times can...

Building Stronger Bonds with Your Partner: An Overview of the Gottman Method
July 9, 2024

The Gottman Method Couples Therapy is a scientifically-backed approach designed to improve the quality and longevity of relationships. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, this method is based on extensive research involving thousands of couples, offering tools and...

From Conflict to Connection: Using the S.T.O.P. Technique for Intimacy
July 9, 2024

Intimacy is a cornerstone of healthy, fulfilling relationships. One researched and effective tool for improving intimacy between partners is the “S.T.O.P.” technique, which focuses on mindfulness and emotional regulation. I often use this technique with clients who need a...

Trust and Commitment: The Cornerstones of a Satisfying Long-Term Relationship
July 9, 2024

In any long-term romantic relationship, trust and commitment are vital elements that contribute significantly to its success and satisfaction. These components create a stable and supportive environment where love can flourish. So, what makes these qualities so essential and...

Transform Your Relationship with the Gentle Start-Up
July 9, 2024

In any relationship, especially in a marriage, how we start a conversation can significantly impact its outcome. The Gentle Start-Up is a communication tool designed to help couples address issues without escalating conflict. Rooted in the research of Dr....

Finding a Place of Honesty, Authenticity, and Love
April 19, 2024

Can you tell your partner everything? When intimate relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, they can reach a level of profound authenticity and mutual understanding. But since the beginning of time, it seems, people have been prone...

Excuses, Excuses: How to Move from Defensiveness to Understanding in Relationships
July 17, 2023

Fred: “What’s the big deal, anyway? Why do we have to keep rehashing this? Just let it go!” Joan: “No! I can’t just let it go. You hurt me and all you do is keep making excuses!” Fred: “But...

Healing from Divorce
January 17, 2023

The old Greek poet named Menander said, “Time is the healer of all necessary evils.” More modern authors have altered the proverb, “Time heals all wounds.” Just because something is a proverb does not make it true. Some researchers...

Secrets Destroy
August 5, 2022

There is a big difference between privacy and secrecy. Privacy is when someone goes into the bathroom, locks the door, and comes out 5 minutes later. Everyone knows what you’re doing, you just did it with no eyes watching,...