A recommendation is to respond rather than react. When your partner expresses their thoughts, feelings, or ideas, listen attentively and respond thoughtfully. If you react,...
Archive for tag: Reactivity
Home » Reactivity
14.012025November 13, 2024
Don’t React, Respond
Rachel and Jake had been married for decades and began couples therapy when Rachel thought about leaving. Jake didn’t treat her well, and she was...
03.122024November 13, 2024
Rewiring Your Relationship
Chris and Angela started couples counseling in a very unhappy state. Chris was dealing with depression, and Angela judged his lack of involvement. Negative interactions...
05.112024November 4, 2024
You Seem Off
Leah and Robert were on a road trip when Robert started slowing down on the highway, and Leah said, “What’s wrong with you?” Robert heard...
24.012024December 15, 2023
Heating Up
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage Counseling, Relationship CounselingTags personalities, Reactivity
Some folks are microwaves—they heat up quickly but cool off quickly. Others are ovens—they gradually heat up but need time to cool down. These personality...
25.102023September 13, 2023
Working on Yourself
Caitlyn and Alex have been together a decade and a half, but now they hardly talk to each other. They both want to save the...
18.102023September 13, 2023
Triggers
By Dr. Richard ReinIn Couples Therapy, Marriage CounselingTags Communication, Perceptions, Reactivity, Triggers
Trigger words are language that unintentionally evokes a negative reaction in a partner. These words are typically unique to the couple and occasionally go across...
11.102023September 12, 2023
Working on Themselves
Sheri and Ed were really struggling. They initially made progress in couples counseling but were having a setback. Early in the work, they were working...
13.092023September 12, 2023
Recipe for Disaster
This was the third stint of couples counseling for Rob and Amy. I often felt Rob didn’t want to be in couples counseling but felt...
08.032023February 13, 2023
Reactivity
Mike is a passionate guy. He’s also emotional. When he reacts to something, he’s intense. His partner Laura is different. She is sensitive, thoughtful, and...
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