Eric was a good provider. He operated efficiently at work and expected the same in his household. This dynamic created strife at home with his...
Archive for tag: Criticism
Careless
In my relationship counseling sessions with Jill, I individually coach her to be more effective in her relationships with others. She recently started working with...
You Should
“Shoulds” are problematic in relationships. They indicate that a partner should act or not act in a particular way. If a partner doesn’t act accordingly,...
A Word Can Make A Difference
During a couples counseling session, Debbie told her husband Al, “You are depressed.” The problem with the statement is that it’s critical and analytic—she’s diagnosing...
You’re Too Tense
As her kids were getting older, Madeline decided to return to work outside the home. She started her own business and was having great success....
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...
Couples Deserve To Succeed—Part 1
I watched my niece radiate as she and her husband-to-be were making their wedding vows. The groom talked about noticing my niece from the moment...
Constructive Criticism
There is no such thing as constructive criticism. In relationships criticism is actually destructive. If one is critical in a relationship, the individual is putting...
The Four Horsemen
One of the most important contributions from Dr. John Gottman’s research is his concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These are the communication...
Thanks for Sharing
Couples counseling is designed to create a safe environment for couples to be more emotionally open with each other. As couples feel safe to disclose...