Brandon and Gayle were talking about their weekly struggles in couples counseling when Gayle said, “You think you’re better than me.” Brandon was surprised and...
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Archive for tag: Criticism
19.022020February 3, 2020
The Eleventh Hour
Jack criticized Ashley throughout their twelve-year marriage. Now she was fed up, to the point of asking Jack to leave the house. She was suffering...
12.062019September 19, 2024
Why
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Communication, Criticism, Lead-In Phrases
I was recently at a presentation by the Samaritans on suicide prevention. They said their volunteers are taught not to ask “why” questions, saying that...
06.112018December 13, 2018
Imposed Judgement
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Criticism, Judgement
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...
27.092018December 4, 2018
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...
05.092018October 25, 2022
You Should
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Relationship Counseling, UncategorizedTags Criticism, Judgement
“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,...
10.042018May 30, 2018
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...
04.042018May 30, 2018
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....
13.122017April 25, 2018
That’s Gross!
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags Conflict, Criticism
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...
19.012017January 17, 2017
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...