Imagine this scene for a moment… Your partner is picking you up from treatment today. You’ve been in a 90-day residential program for alcohol dependency. You’ve been drinking daily for the last 2 years prior to treatment and surrendering to your addiction was probably...
Communication
What’s the Right Mix of Me Time and We Time?
Do you ever ask yourself questions like "How can I take time for myself without neglecting my partner?" or "Can I really have a successful relationship if I feel like I'm always putting myself last?" If you are, you are not alone. Whether you are newlyweds in the...
4 Ways to Set Boundaries in Your Relationship
The word “boundaries” in a romantic partnership can trigger negative connotations, conjuring up images of angry and controlling partners. However, there is a different way to look at this idea. Boundaries are the rules and agreements that make it possible to remain in...
Repair In The Real World: It’s The Little Things
“ We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily difference we can make, which over time, often add up to big differences we often cannot foresee.” - Marian Wright Edelman It would be accurate and certainly...
Use Your Words: Why Emotion Words Matter
The words we choose to express how we feel can undeniably impact how we relate to one another. In the words of the esteemed poet Rumi, “Raise your words, not your voice. It is the rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” As a marriage and family therapist, I see this...
6 Questions You Should Ask Each Other On Your Anniversary
When was the last time you looked at your wedding day photos? It's truly a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to transport yourself back into the moment. These beautiful images make two things very clear to me: We look like babies. Oh wow, we look so young. We...
Have You Caused an Attachment Injury? Here’s How to Work Through It
We have all been hurt in our closest relationships, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It is a simple fact of life. Many of these injuries are shallow, and heal without much effort, like paper cuts. Sometimes, though, the injury is more serious, because it...
Support For Those With Suicidal Thoughts
Have you ever suspected that someone you know may be having suicidal thoughts? Perhaps you've noticed your partner become uncharacteristically withdrawn, giving away prized possessions out-of-the-blue, or "getting affairs in order." Or maybe a friend or family member...