Jack and Eileen were arguing at home when Jack attacked Eileen, Eileen reacted, and Jack said, “Let’s end this.” When they processed this interaction in...
Archive for category: Relationship Counseling
What I Need
Sue took issue with Jeremy calling her useless. She began to criticize him for name-calling when I stopped her. I suggested that rather than pointing...
Erosion and Explosions
Some couples gradually lose their connection with each other—erosion. This tends to happen with more established couples when the stresses of life, e.g., work or...
Different Thoughts
Meg has a creative mind. It moves from one thought to another, but doesn’t always connect the dots. She sees things holistically, but may miss...
Under the Influence
When a couple has a partner who struggles with alcohol use, many spouses tend to attack the struggling partner. When the struggling spouse feels attacked,...
Culture Wars
When working with couples from different cultures, it is important to be sensitive to their cultural expectations of a relationship, but also help them to...
Essential Conversations
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,...
Amend the Agreement
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...
From My Couch to Yours
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...
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...