Archive for category: Couples Counseling

24.062015August 18, 2015

Bulldozing and Stonewalling

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples CounselingTags Adoption, Bulldozing, Stonewalling

April wants to adopt a child and Dan is reluctant. April was bulldozing—pushing her position — and Dan was stonewalling—digging in and shutting down. The...

08.062015August 18, 2015

The Face Cloth

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Listening, Timing

Tom was talking about something that was important to him and Ally asked about a face cloth. Tom was offended that she interrupted him. They...

04.062015August 18, 2015

The Gift

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Communication

Ally wondered what birthday presents to buy for Billy, her partner Tom’s son, whose ten year old birthday was in a few months. She often...

01.062015August 18, 2015

Let Your Hair Down

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Criticism, Rhetorical Questions

Tom and Ally were having a great time at a club when Tom was about to take a picture of them to capture the night....

18.052015August 18, 2015

It’s Not a Big Deal

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Communication, Listening

“It’s not a big deal.” This is not an uncommon statement in couples therapy (more frequently expressed by men), however the statement is a big...

04.052015August 18, 2015

The Wedding Hotel

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Feelings, Friendship

Mark was making plans to be at his best friend’s wedding. It was a flight away and the hotel where the wedding was being held...

13.042015June 8, 2015

Criticism and Defensiveness

By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples CounselingTags Criticism, Defensiveness

In order to resolve the inevitable differences that couples experience, they need to be able to talk openly about issues without criticism or defensiveness. When...