Struggling couples typically recognize that change is needed. Couples counseling clarifies what needs to change. The job of a skilled couples counselor is to take...
Archive for category: Couples Therapy
Gradual Change
There is a parable that says if you toss a frog into a pot of boiling water, it’s going to feel the intense heat immediately,...
Two Heads
Greg and Aimee have a contentious relationship. Rather than discussing, each is trying to convince and make a case for their position. This sets the...
Looped
Jeff and Abby are struggling. Abby is absorbed by her demanding job and tending to their young children. Jeff is personally struggling and using alcohol...
Sharing Thoughts
Tyler is generally quiet. Leah wants Tyler to be more open and share his thoughts. Tyler shared that when he’s quiet, Leah would say, “Is...
Statements are Clearer
Dan asked, “Are you okay?” and Rebecca said she didn’t like the question. In our couples counseling session, I asked Dan to change the question...
Rewriting History
When women want to address unfinished issues from the past, it’s not uncommon for husbands to say, “It’s in the past.” However, the comment is...
Transformation
Jack and Danielle have been married for three decades and were in a bad place. Jack had been married twice before, and this was their...
The Grass is Greener
The husband of a couple was questioning whether to continue his marriage. His wife was concerned that he was comparing their relationship to others. Her...
Getting Close
I had been seeing Andrew and Katherine in couples counseling for a year and a half, and now they were coming to the end of...