If we were to ask you what goes into making a healthy relationship, what would you say? A quick Google search reveals the following: curiosity, trust, communication, empathy, affection, patience, respect, and honesty…just to list a few.
Well, listen….we couldn’t disagree more!
Read MoreWhy do we blame?
Many of you have likely seen “The Break-Up” starring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn. The famous fighting scene shows the couple bantering back and forth about everything that the other does that upsets them, specifically things that aren’t brought up when they are seen.
Read MoreFifty percent of initial marriages, sixty- seven of the next, and a massive seventy three percent of third marriages fail. These are all extremely high numbers when we are talking about the massive commitment that relationships (especially when it gets to the marriage stage) are.
We all want our relationships to be successful, and tell ourselves that we will never go as far as divorce.
Read MoreCongratulations! You’re engaged, and you couldn’t be happier. Everything is going just as you hoped and dreamed that it would.
There is so much to do and even more to plan for the big day, which is taking way too long to arrive.
All of you and your partner’s focus is going towards details, details, details. Everything has to be absolutely perfect when that long awaited day finally arrives, with nothing to mess it up!
However, in all of this hustle and bustle, couples tend to overlook the most important aspect of all; their own relationship with each other.
Read MoreFrom time to time, I couples who see some small improvements in their relationship and decide to quit counseling right after, thinking that they have accomplished the goals that they came to achieve. They feel like they are communicating better or listening to each other better.
Makes sense that some people would want to discontinue marriage counseling or couples counseling. But….it’s important to be aware that this is still too early to graduate from therapy.
Therapists often try to warn couples that despite seeing small changes (and things being a little bit better) that continuation is necessary to make the new habits and practices truly stick.
Read MoreThe first thing that comes out of people’s mouths immediately after they learn about the hows and whys of EFT is simple: “More people should know about this!”
With this article, we want to spread the word about how Emotionally Focused Therapy works.
Read MoreOn September 26, one of the most underrated holidays is celebrated: Love Note Day. As the name indicates, it includes sending love letters (a little more on the corny side) to your significant other and showing your affection in many different ways. Whether this means a short and simple note or a long and heartfelt letter, it is always nice to feel like you are appreciated and loved.
Read MoreMany people believe that if they simply communicate better in a relationship, then the relationship will automatically improve as well. However, this is not entirely true. Others say that you need specific communication skills for a healthy relationship.
This problem with communication is not an acquisition issue, rather, it is an access issue. In other words, developing communication skills isn’t what is needed in the situation. One must simply use the ability to communicate effectively, which is already owned.
But when you are in a fight or disagreement with your partner, you likely are not in your prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for more complex actions (like planning and forethought).
Read MoreA few weeks ago my family and I went on a family vacation. We had a great time and I remembered a valuable lesson.
Read MoreIt is extremely important for you to know and understand your attachment style because it supplies you with insight into why you respond the way you do to perceived emotional disengagement. Now, that sure is a mouthful isn’t it? However, it’s quite easy to understand and catch on to.
Read MoreThere are a number of reasons for which we are writing this blog. Unfortunately, not many people are aware that there are available therapy services that are affordable and fit their budget.
For some people, an affordable option is a must have because they either don’t have insurance or simply can’t cover the seemingly outrageous costs of therapy treatment.
Others have extremely high deductibles that they just don’t have the means to pay.
Do any of these situations apply to you? What about someone that you know and love?
If that is the case, our affordable counseling option might be perfect for you!
This helps make sure that you don’t blow out your bank account simply because you need help. Everyone should be able to seek help when they need it, no matter the amount of money in their bank account.
Read MoreHave you ever noticed how sometimes you get caught up in the same kinds of relationships? Maybe it’s with a person who might be called “needy.” Or maybe it’s with a person who ends up ghosting you.
All relationships, whether they end well or badly, offer valuable life lessons. We can learn from the mistakes that we made and continue the habits that made the relationship run smoothly.
Read MoreMany people believe that for a healthy lasting relationship, the only essential is basic communication skills.
However, if you and your partner want a lasting change for the better, more effort is needed.
To do this, we need a second order change, or a change to our emotional foundation. This changes our mental and emotional domains.
Read MoreNow, you may be wondering: What is the idea behind these Hold Me Tight® workshops that I see all over this website?
These workshops are designed to help couples of all stages of relationship reach desired attachment and emotional accessibility. Additionally, the program helps both partners become more emotionally responsive and engaging with each other. This means that you can make the most of your time together as a couple.
Read MoreDo you ever feel like you are in a constant loop with your partner trying to get them to see they are the one to blame? Or maybe it is that one fight that you just keep coming back to?
The Hold Me Tight® Workshop is a program developed by Dr. Sue Johnson and aims to teach you and your partner how to get out of those terrible loops that just keep happening. No more waiting for your partner to notice you, no more hoping to be seen.
Read MoreBetter communication is probably the #1 presenting issue in couples therapy and family therapy. It makes sense. Couples and families need to communicate about many things. But one thing that people do not realize is that we are always communicating. Essentially, we cannot not communicate!
Read MoreIf you are concerned about someone in your life, it can feel difficult to know what to do. Once we are aware there is or might be an issue, it’s important not to wait! Waiting and hoping they will reach out for help loses beneficial time in which they could have been already seeking treatment or receiving support.
Read MoreWhen we first get together with our partner, it’s a magical time. There’s a passion and fire that is undeniable. You can’t keep your hands off each other. When you touch or receive touch, it send shivers along your body. It’s electric. It makes us feel whole.
But over time, work, families, or other obligations demand so much of your time and energy that it’s harder to make the time for intimacy and touch.
Read MoreBut…we are here to help. Thanks to one of our student interns, we are happy to offer a FREE DOWNLOAD on daily reminders. You know…just like the cruise ships….only without the COVID-19. Thank goodness for that!
Read MoreOf course it’s nearly impossible to feel happy 100% of the time. We’ll also add it’s not healthy to feel happy 100% of the time. We must experience a wide range of emotions. But, nothing is wrong with feeling happy a great deal of the time.
Let’s examine some ways to increase happiness:
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