Conflict Avoidance by Listening (Easy as Pie)
You know the song and dance... Partner one says, “I’m upset about this thing that happened.” Partner two says, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” Partner one says, “You did xyz!” Partner two says, “That’s only because you did abc!” And then the two careen into a fight that has no real beginning and no real end.
Three Themes in Couples Therapy
When I do couples therapy, there are three big themes that I’m consistently keeping in mind. Not only do these help with the direction of where therapy needs to go, but they also give us the framework for looking at what is going right within the relationship.
I Feel Better... I’m CURED!
This is a common mistake for people coming in for therapy. Namely, that they feel “better” and thus believe their work in therapy is done. HEAR ME OUT! I realize that sounds really silly, but keep reading to fully understand what I mean.
Stress-Busting Tips for a Holiday Host
Planning a party is, for the most part, a blast. There’s a certain thrill you get when picking out special decorations, food, and activities for your friends and loved ones’ enjoyment. However, the stress of the holidays can take all the fun out of hosting an event.
Why Friendship Matters in a Long-Term Relationship
I think this is going to be a really obvious blog for people who are reading, but I’ve been surprised before, so it’s worth it to share. When I work with couples, I tell them that the work they do is broken down into three large themes (too much detail to get into, seriously), all of which are based around the Gottman’s work.
Four Signs it’s Time to Leave
Generally speaking, I’m an advocate for relationships. I spend most of my time helping people work out their issues, dispel myths around love and relationships, and create new patterns within their relationship. I love what I do.
Give Your Brain a Break
Think about the very first thing you do in the morning. If you’re like the vast majority of people (let’s stick with in the United States), then you probably reach to your nightstand and check your phone. I’m assuming you check for social media updates, personal and work email, and maybe the news. Am I guessing right?
Dealing with Difficult People
We’ve all been there. There’s that one person who just gets under our skin, who we can’t understand, and who operates in a way that makes little to no sense to us.