Marriage is not just the union of two individuals but also the blending of two families. This integration often brings a unique set of challenges, with in-laws frequently becoming a flash point for marital conflict. Understanding why this happens and how to navigate these delicate relationships is crucial for marital harmony.

In the realm of romantic relationships, the line between support and over-responsibility for a partner's emotional state is often blurred. Many individuals find themselves carrying the burden of their spouse's emotions, believing this to be a sign of true love and commitment. However, relationship experts like Sue Johnson, Terrence Real, and Esther Perel suggest that this approach can have unintended consequences. Let’s delve into why assuming responsibility for your spouse's emotional state can backfire, hindering personal and relational growth.

Sex is a difficult topic of conversation, even in marriages where people share children, a household and finances. It’s difficult because rejection and how we navigate it can get to the root of who we are, not just what we do. . .One of the less discussed but crucial aspects of sexual relationships is dealing with rejection. While it may initially seem disheartening, a rejection can actually serve as a valuable opportunity to open up a conversation about what fuels and dampens sexual desire for both partners.

However, for those experiencing distress in their marriages, these periods can amplify existing tensions and bring new challenges to the forefront. The contrast between the idealized image of holiday harmony and the reality of a strained relationship can be stark, leading to increased emotional turmoil and stress.

When we think of 'nagging' in a relationship, it often carries a negative connotation, conjuring images of persistent complaining or unwelcome reminders. However, when viewed through the lens of attachment theory and emotionally focused therapy (EFT), this behavior can be recontextualized as a form of pursuit, a way of fighting for the relationship.

In the landscape of relationships, there’s a silent behavior that often goes unnoticed, yet can erode the very foundation of our closest bonds. I'm talking about the tendency to

. . . One effective method of ensuring healthy communication, even in the heat of the moment, is by using a "safe word" or "safe phrase" to pause conversations before they turn into full-blown arguments. Here’s how you can use this technique to nurture understanding and growth in your relationship.

In the spirit of utmost preparedness, just as a meticulous fire drill is planned on a bright, non-crisis day, the establishment of safe words in a relationship must also occur during periods of calm. This proactive approach is not merely about choosing a word that will serve as an emergency brake during an argument; it's about creating a comprehensive agreement in a serene setting, where both parties are clear-headed and harmonious—far from the maelstrom of heated emotions.

Sue Johnson's groundbreaking work on attachment theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) has revolutionized the way we understand and approach relationships. Central to her philosophy is the concept of "effective dependence," emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and secure attachments in intimate partnerships.

…This is where the idea of 'love languages' comes into play. Understanding and practicing love languages can be a game-changer in relationships, aiding in cultivating empathy, mutual understanding, and deeper connections.

Just like other systems like an airplane, that energy must be controllable to be predictable and useful to us. Nowhere is this energy dynamic more evident than during conflicts. . .

Relationships are a delicate dance of emotions, experiences, and expectations. At their best, they offer us love, support, and a sense of belonging. Yet, even in the healthiest of relationships, conflicts arise. . . One particularly detrimental behavior that can creep into our interactions is "dismissing."

Triggers are anything in the present that are close enough to things in the past that dropped you into fight, flight or freeze or fawn.

Romantic relationships can be like a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs. But it's not about avoiding those downs; it's about how we deal with them. Because we come from different families than our partner or spouse, being able to repair is more important than avoiding hurts.

Sometimes, one big obstacle to fixing things in a romantic relationship is something called shame. And when that shame is directed at ourselves, it can make fixing things emotionally really tough.

I understand that people feel like they’d be opened up to criticism somehow if they go into couples counseling.  I do bring experience and training into the sessions.  The distinction I draw is that I’m discerning what’s going on.  I’m not trying to judge the people involved.

I like the definition of empathy from The Greater Good Magazine the best. It is: The ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.

The most common mixup with empathy is to mistake it for sympathy. Empathy is you putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. This is opposed to sympathy where you’re letting them know you’ve experienced what they’ve experienced, and you know what it’s like.

A lot of the people I meet are high-achieving, high-performance individuals.  They’ve performed well in their careers because they’ve been extremely effective problem solvers.  But now in their relationships, they’re stymied because they can’t logic their way out of a disagreement about how to load the dishwasher. 

… it’s a generalization that has damaged a lot of heterosexual relationships because the woman in the marriage doesn’t get to feel supported by their husband, and the husband doesn’t feel heard by his partner.

I deal with a lot of people who poo-poo the need for emotions. Funny that happens to a therapist, huh? Most of what I see as “logical” in my sessions with couples is really avoidance. See my post on being logical vs. being withdrawn. But I really wanted to address some reasons why some leading thinkers proposed that we evolved emotions in the first place.

While logic has its place, fostering better relationships requires us to cultivate emotional intelligence. This vital skill involves understanding and managing emotions, both our own and those of others.