“I love you but I’m not in love with you” is a familiar refrain in couples counseling. This comment can create anxiety for a partner...
Archive for tag: Communication
Turning Point
Couples counseling primarily provides real time feedback to couples when they are communicating in session. Their newly learned skills eventually slip into their communication between...
At Fault Again
Ann and Jeff were sitting down for dinner when Jeff took a call from his father. His father was dealing with an urgent situation and...
No Big Deal
One of the comments couples can make is “It’s no big deal.” I find men more likely to make this comment than women. The problem...
Bestie
When I ask couples what’s attractive about their partner, I occasionally get the answer, he or she is my best friend. What characterizes best friends...
Sacred Space
Erica and Elliott were making nice progress in couples counseling. Fewer negative incidents occurred in between our sessions. Erica wanted to work more on her...
Filtered Conversations
Amy and Jack reported that they had a four hour “unfiltered “conversation since their last couples counseling session. I knew unfiltered was not good, e.g.,...
An Unwilling Participant
A man recently called me because he and his wife were having marital problems. His wife was refusing to come to marriage counseling, but he...
Honeymoon Blues
Jen shared a story in couples counseling. When she and Jay were on their honeymoon, Jay talked to another woman for over an hour. Jen...
Lost in Translation
In our last couples counseling session, Sherry shared that she is still not getting her needs met, such as affection. She wants Dennis to ask...