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,...
Archive for tag: Conflict
I’m Sorry
Apologies help heal conflict. There are different levels of apologies and each level described below becomes more effective. Level 1: “I’m sorry.” This is the...
Put Your Shoes Away
Differences can create conflict in relationships. The challenge is to distinguish between personality differences—which are unlikely to change—and behaviors, which are amenable to change. Personality...
That’s Gross!
David put his finger in a jar of peanut butter, licked the peanut butter off his finger, and proceeded to put his licked finger back...
Well, Maybe Not Every Relationship-Serial Infidelity
Helping couples recover from physical or emotional affairs is unfortunately standard work in couples counseling. Most affairs occur when couples disconnect due to conflict and...
My Loneliest Moment…
“My loneliest moment is lying next to you” is an actual quote. It’s painful to hear the level of despair this woman feels for her husband....
Couples Deserve To Succeed—Part 2
If a couple starts a conversation with a negative statement (a harsh startup), the likelihood of responding negatively (the second statement) is 94%. Therefore the...
The Sound Relationship House – Part 2
This is a continuation of last week’s blog regarding Dr. John Gottman’s Sound Relationship House. The fourth level of The Sound Relationship House is the...
An Unpleasant Holiday
Jeannie works in the restaurant industry. When she was working Christmas Eve, her husband Rick planned to make the night special despite her not being...
Zero to One Hundred
Escalation is a core problem in many relationships. If a person starts a conversation with a negative comment, the likelihood of a partner responding negatively...
- 1
- 2