In a couples counseling session, the husband said, “I’d feel more positive if I didn’t need to put my armor on.” I was struck by...
Archive for tag: Attacks
Home » Attacks
27.012021December 2, 2020
Read the Room
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Attacks, Defensiveness
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...
30.092020September 9, 2020
Under the Influence
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Alcohol, Alcoholic, Attacks, Defensiveness
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,...
23.032017January 17, 2017
Zero To One Hundred—Part 1
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Attacks, Escalation, Withdrawal
Escalation often begins with an attack. Regardless of how strong someone’s self-esteem is, individuals don’t want to be attacked. When someone is attacked, the tendency...
16.032017January 17, 2017
The Power of Negativity
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Attacks, Disconnected, Escalation, Looping, Negativity
Research shows that negativity is twenty times more powerful than positivity. It’s hard to be positive and emotionally close with a partner when negativity and...
12.012016January 14, 2016
Attacking Vulnerabilities
John & Dana disconnected over the years. In our marriage counseling session, John shared that he was seeing a therapist individually for years. Dana was...
05.012016January 3, 2016
Artillery and Bombs
Relationships can become battlefields. Criticism is launched horizontally. A partner intentionally or unintentionally attacks. When one is attacked, the recipient defends him or herself, and...