When someone is saying what they think or feel is true for them, I encourage couples to assume their partner is being truthful. If a...
Relationship Resources Blog
Each day my life is enriched by listening to and guiding couples as they bring their raw experiences to sessions and we try to make sense of difficult times. Through these blog posts, I hope to give readers a snapshot of our work including examples of the real issues that people bring, and how we can find meaning and a path out together. Their identities are protected, but each experience is real. Because relationships are complex, my role is to help couples share their experiences while providing a conceptual road map to understand their experiences, finding a way out of the woods of painful experiences. This blog shares stories and concepts; I hope it provides hope, insight and richness to each reader’s own journey.
The Right Frequency
When I work with most couples, meeting every other week seems to be the right frequency. It’s enough time to allow issues to emerge in...
Be There
Donna was thrilled by her accomplishment. She was developing a new company policy that her colleagues doubted would ever be implemented. Donna was asked to...
I Want To Be Like You
When I first started couples counseling with Bruce and Lauren, their 14-year-old daughter asked her mother, “Do you still love dad?” This was not an...
Being There
Caroline yearns to share with her husband Rob—her struggles with her mother, transitions in friendships, and worries in general. Her husband Rob, who works as...
Pixie Dust
Rachel had felt alone in her relationship for years, experiencing the relationship as one-sided. She supported her husband Dan but didn’t get the same in return.
Repair Work
Liz asked Jim to do something for her and Jim reluctantly complied. Picking up on his resistance, she later asked, “Why did you do it?” ...
You Are My World
The following sweet dialogue was sent to me by one of my clients. Source unknown. Wife: “I love you!” Husband: “I love you too!” Wife:...
Share, Don’t Tell
Mike was struggling to stay asleep. His wife Mary recently purchased a FitBit to monitor her health, including sleep patterns. She told Mike to buy...
Why
I was recently at a presentation by the Samaritans on suicide prevention. They said their volunteers are taught not to ask “why” questions, saying that...
No More Fighting
I met Christina and Brad for their first session and gathered information about their relationship. In our second meeting, we were planning to work on...
Railroaded
Todd and Casey were building an addition to their house. Todd was content with the house as it was, but Casey insisted they needed an...