When Pam and Rick started working with me, they had been separated for several months. Pam wanted support and validation from Rick, but she would...
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.
Critical Feedback
Steve didn’t like how his wife Kate was dealing with their teenage son in the morning. Tommy was reluctant to get up for school in...
Conversation Stoppers
Sam travels a lot. Fortunately he gets paid well for his job, but the three nights a week away, and sometimes stretching to four, puts...
A Vulnerable Moment
Steve was planning on flying to the funeral of a friend’s mother. As a former marine, he was stationed in the South. His closest friend’s...
You’re Staring
Rob and Kaitlyn were pleased they addressed a trust issue since our last meeting. Rob told Kaitlyn that she was staring at one of his...
What’s Wrong With You?
Tricia and Dave shared with me about a fight they had. Tricia was upset when she had a distressing argument with her brother. Dave could...
I’m Not Sure This Is The Right Relationship
Kevin said, “I’m not sure this is the right relationship for me.” Patty found this statement extremely distressing. Kevin and Patty disconnected from one another,...
Goose Bumps
Judy is the wife of a couple with whom I’ve been working. When I asked her what she wanted to accomplish in couples therapy, her...
A Sad Announcement
Karen announced in our first session that she didn’t want to continue the relationship with her husband, Rob. Although she reported that she still liked...
Get Over It
Carol was frustrated at work. She worked for a company for eight years, and there was a particular position for which she was aspiring. She...
A Bad Day At The Office
One of the most unpleasant experiences in couples counseling, although uncommon, is when an individual uses the session to announce that he or she wants...
What Do I Need To Do To Fix It?
When Sherri and Ed met, Ed was involved in another relationship. As Ed and Sherri got closer, Ed told Sherri that he ended his former...