Successful couples know how to discuss issues without escalating. If they do escalate, they may be able to repair conflict as it’s occurring. If not,...
01.072020September 9, 2020
Amend the Agreement
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Agreements, Communication, Priorities
Over the weekend, Jessica agreed that she would call the contractor on Monday. When Tony asked about it on Tuesday, he was upset that she...
24.062020September 9, 2020
From My Couch to Yours
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Escalation, telehealth, virtual counseling
During the pandemic, a number of couples doubted the efficacy of telehealth. Some couples who I saw pre-pandemic chose not to continue until we could...
17.062020September 9, 2020
Chalk Portraits
Now that Ed was working from home, Denise asked him to help out with the kids for an hour a day. This would give her...
10.062020September 9, 2020
Emotional Restraint
Emotional intelligence consists of four components: Awareness of self Awareness of others Awareness of relationship dynamics Emotional restraint Couples counseling focuses a lot on couples...
28.052020September 9, 2020
Reaching Out
Keri had just lost her job and Adam was concerned. Keri had a history of depression and he thought this event would reignite her depression....
21.052020September 9, 2020
Correcting Misperceptions
Brandon and Gayle were talking about their weekly struggles in couples counseling when Gayle said, “You think you’re better than me.” Brandon was surprised and...
15.052020September 9, 2020
Insight
Despite the amount of time they were at home with each other, Phil and Cynthia felt disconnected. Typically Cynthia expressed her disconnection, but in this...
06.052020September 9, 2020
Ritualizing Time
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Reconnect, Rituals
Michael and Eileen talked with each other in couples counseling about how to reconnect. They acknowledged that they weren’t eating meals with each other, despite...
29.042020September 9, 2020
Checking In
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Demands, Disconnected
Despite spending a lot of time together during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eileen and Michael were feeling disconnected. In fact, Eileen was worried about their trajectory—becoming...