Monday, January 2nd, 2012
Passive – aggression is a deliberate and masked way of expressing covert feelings of anger.
This pattern destroys the integrity of a relationship and is one of the hardest patterns to transform.
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Arguing works well for a court of law but not in your relationship.
For those of you with argumentative personalities you will want to read this post. You know who you are…. Read more »
Monday, November 21st, 2011
Do you transition easily back into connection or do you find yourself acting like a wilful toddler? Read more »
Monday, October 24th, 2011
Risk, resilience and a good enough childhood – not a great one, just good enough.
Check out the the article, Radical Romance, by Cathleen Medwick if you are interested in a deeper exploration of the purpose of romantic love.
Monday, October 10th, 2011
This is how you tell whether a new partner is ready and worth the “risk”.
Check out the article, How I Learned To Stop Blaming The Ex And Became A Man, by Elliot Katz.
Refreshing insight and candor from the male perspective.
Wednesday, September 14th, 2011
This is the path to an energized partnership.
The fact that you see things differently is a strength – not a weakness. Read more »
Monday, August 29th, 2011
Try to win and you will both lose – every time, guaranteed.
There is one simple idea that can transform your relationship: Be more interested in understanding your partner than in winning an argument.
Embrace this principle, save yourself heartache and massive counselling or legal bills. Read more »
Monday, August 15th, 2011
Are you distracted, impatient and more interested in your friends on Facebook or Twitter than your partner or family?
Attachment to our Blackberries, iPhones, Facebook, and Twitter are a source of hurt and frustration between couples. Read more »
Monday, August 1st, 2011
Here is what not to say or do when your partner is upset…. Read more »
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Do you hold your breath and hope for the best or is there a way to determine if you are in a relationship that has substance, the kind of love that you can build a stable future on.
I have broken this down into 4 statements to consider. If you can honestly say that you believe these statements then your relationship is likely to thrive. Take the test… Read more »
Monday, June 20th, 2011
An emotional affair can be as devastating to a relationship as a sexual affair. Secrecy and deception are the deal breakers.
Emotional affairs are easy to deny, you can rationalize that there is no sex involved and keep yourself guilt free.
Check out this article on Oprah’s website, Emotional Affairs 101, for some concrete signs that you are having an emotional affair.
Monday, June 6th, 2011
Here is the catch, you need to be happily married for this to happen! Read more »
Monday, May 30th, 2011
This is really worth the read, particularly if you are contemplating having an affair.
The author, Wendy Plump, explores the impact of an affair from both sides, from her experiences as the cheating spouse and the betrayed lover.
According to Wendy: “You will be pulled between two poles, one of obligation and responsibility, the other of pleasure and escape, and the stress of these two opposing forces will tear you apart.”
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Deciding whether or not to keep trying is hard, particularly when there are children involved.
Should You Stay or Should You Go? a Huffington Post article by Christine Carter PhD, describes four types of relationship problems in an attempt to simplify the decision-making process.
Check out her article, it may help you make sense of your situation.
Monday, May 16th, 2011
When it comes to our relationships there is a world of difference between these two experiences.
To feel powerful people often resort to manipulation and coercion.
To be powerful is to come from a position of self-knowledge and be able to regulate your emotions.
Clients enter into therapy because they feel powerless in some area of their life. Read more »
Monday, May 9th, 2011
Dr. John Gottman makes the bold statement that he can predict with 95% accuracy whether couples will stay together or not.
His predictions are partly based on the presence of four destructive communication patterns: contempt, criticism, stone-walling and defensiveness. Read more »
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Plenty of miserable couples stay together forever.
But it looks like this trend may be changing.
NY Times columnist, Tara Parker Pope, wrote a great article, The Happy Marriage is the “Me” Marriage. People are looking for partnerships that make their lives more interesting and they want to experience personal growth, which Parker Pope terms “self-expansion”.
If your partner is helping you become a better person then that deepens happiness and satisfaction.
Check out the article and learn why it is important to have novel and exciting experiences together.
Monday, April 25th, 2011
Are you addicted to negativity? Are you a fault-finder or a love-finder? Read more »
Monday, April 18th, 2011
When this is your focus you know that you are locked into a power struggle, the phase that follows romantic love, the unwelcome descent into reality.
The traits that you once found charming and quirky are now annoying. Read more »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
Learn about the “Masters” and “Disasters” of relationships.
Check out the article, The Top Five Signs That You Are Headed For Divorce. Watch the videotapes of the research couples demonstrating the behaviours that lead to divorce. Can you see yourself in any of these couples?
