To a seasoned couples therapist, the telltale signs of a relationship in crisis are universal. While every marriage is unique with distinct memories and stories, how it looks at its core (the anatomy so-to-speak) adheres to certain truths. We know the bones of love, what builds trust (and breaks it), what fosters connection (and disconnection) from the work of…
One of the most common of the Four Horsemen is criticism. The Four Horsemen are what Dr. John Gottman calls the dynamics in a relationship that can lead to relationship distress, demise and potentially divorce. Criticism is when one partner attacks the other person’s character not just an action or behavior. It often sounds like…
The next time you are sitting next to your partner and are tempted to look at your phone, turn towards your partner instead of a screen and have a conversation. Even if it is just a check in about how your day was, it can have a positive impact on your relationship. Technology has come…
Based on Dr. Dana McNeil’s webinar ‘How To Be a Successful Couples Therapist’ on August 3, 2023. While it may be obvious that couples therapy is different than individual therapy, one can not underestimate the skills it takes to work with a couple. Not only are there two individual personalities to work with but also…
As a pediatric psychologist, I work with children, teens, and young adults to help them better understand their brain, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. As a parent coach, I help parents better understand their kids and teens so that they can respond differently and maybe even break a few unhealthy generational cycles along the…
As a pediatric psychologist, I work with children, teens, and young adults to help them better understand their brain, emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. As a parent coach, I help parents better understand their kids and teens so that they can respond differently and maybe even break a few unhealthy generational cycles along the…
Codependency is not a bad word Codependency is more common than one may think. Here are some examples of how codependency in relationships shows up: Blurred boundaries between you and your partner Having a difficult time honoring your own needs and feelings Taking too much responsibility for what someone else does (you try to cover…
Commitment can be a big deal in relationships, but for some folks, the thought of committing can be downright scary. The fear of commitment is a complex issue with various factors at play, including something called attachment style. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what causes this fear and focus on one specific attachment…
Understanding your partner requires the capacity to listen. Really listen. Couples are advised to hear each other’s complaints without feeling attacked, and as great as this sounds, it’s often unrealistic. When something you said (or didn’t say) hurts your partner’s feelings, there’s a strong impulse to interrupt with, “That wasn’t my intention. You’re misunderstanding me,”…
During a recent couples counseling session, Jenna, 40, and Ethan, 41, discuss the lack of intimacy in their relationship. This couple has been married for eight years and they have two young children.Ethan put it like this, “Lately, we’re more like roommates than husband and wife. Jenna shuts me outand doesn’t share her feelings with…
