Many people are aware of the tired old stereotype about men that claim, “Real men are expected to ignore their emotions or pretend that they don’t exist.” Throughout my life, my professional life, in particular, I have noticed that it isn’t socially acceptable for some men to feel anything other than anger. Many are conditioned to simply feel nothing at all.
Read MoreParenting is a challenging job; the transition to becoming a parent means lots of changes which brings with it lots of stress. The couple will have to learn how to create a new identity. Everything in your family life changes, including roles within the couple, daily activities, expression of intimacy and financial difficulties.
Read MoreThese are the ways that adults perceive and respond to intimacy in romantic relationships. Our attachment type is initially determined by our upbringing and can be altered later in life by our relationship experiences. Each type determines our attitudes towards sex, views on intimacy, expectations of partners, and the way we handle conflict.
Read MoreAre you in a relationship where small issues seem to escalate quickly? You're not alone. It's a common challenge for couples to bring up an issue in a way that is productive.
Read MoreAs children, we develop something called an attachment style. Fifty percent of the population develops what we call "secure" attachment.
Read MoreLearning to listen is a skill. It’s different than “hearing”. Usually, when we are in conflict with another person we are listening to respond instead of listening to understand.
Read MoreAsserting yourself means expressing yourself in a way that expresses your confidence, power, and earning respect. It’s expressing your opinions, needs, and feelings without hurting or ignoring the opinions, feelings, or needs of others.
Read MoreSetting the stage for a good relationship means being honest from the start. Do you have to put it all out there on date 1? No. But, as things come up they should be discussed with honesty.
Read MoreI used to be so “anxiously attached”. When I was dating someone, I picked apart their every word or their every silence. Within moments I could go from crying (re: feeling like someone wasn’t into me anymore) to smiling (re: hearing from them).
Read More“I’m sorry” is not an apology. Stick with me for a minute.We are taught as children to say sorry to people when we hurt them. Our elders always tell us “Say you’re sorry” and we say “I’m sorry” and drop it.
Read MoreDid you ever notice that your poor communication habits come from a pain point? Or, at least, a fear of pain.I notice this in my own communication issues - for one, avoidance.
Read MoreRather than New Years resolutions, we encourage past year reflections. Use the month of January to consider the triumphs and tribulations you have experienced as a couple over the past year.
Read MoreTrue or False...Video games are healthy for relationships. I respect any reaction that comes to your mind, as I know we all have our unique experiences & biases on the matter.
Read MoreSuffering a significant loss can often feel like the rug was pulled out from under you, scrambling to find a way to relate to the same world you’ve been living in for decades under wholly new terms.
Read MoreIf your trust has been broken here is what you need: The one that broke the trust needs to listen. Again and again. To show empathy. To say you understand, full heartedly, the impact of your actions.
Read MoreValidation is telling someone that you believe that what they say is true for them. Validation isn't needed to CREATE legitimacy, because the legitimacy os already there.
Read MoreResearch has shown that people are motivated by 2 things:
Threat
Nurturing
While ALL couples will be motivated by both of theses factors, being motivated only by threats is not healthy for your relationship.
Read MoreConsider this statement. It is simple, yet powerful. In fact, it describes most people. We are egocentric beings - we live within our own minds and it can be challenging to step out of our own experience and our own urge to respond in order to actually hear.
Read More
