Tag: relationships
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Embracing the Power of Intentions: A Fresh Start for 2024
As the calendar turns to a new year, the familiar chant of “New Year, New Me” echoes through the air. But let’s be real – how often does this mantra lead to genuine renewal? If your past resolutions have left you feeling overwhelmed, defeated, or stuck in a cycle of self-criticism, I’ve got some good…
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Creating a Meaningful Holiday Season
So, the holidays are around the corner, and for some of us, they can feel more like a rollercoaster ride of emotions rather than a holly-jolly festivity. I get it; the pressures, the expectations, the past memories — it can all be a bit overwhelming. But fear not, because this year, let’s take a different…
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Enabling Behaviors: Redefining Support for Your Loved Ones’ Growth
When a loved one is struggling, it’s natural to want to help them, but what happens when your help seems to perpetuate their problems instead of solving them? If you find yourself repeatedly stepping in to support someone and noticing that they’re not getting better, you might be inadvertently contributing to the cycle of their…
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Is it Late Too Set A Boundary
Today, we’re diving straight into a question that often comes up when discussing boundaries: “Is it too late to set boundaries?” The answer is no, never. I often hear, “Well, it’s been happening for years, so it would be awkward if I said anything now.” Let’s bust some myths and explore why it’s never too…
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Breaking the Argument Cycle: A Guide to Understanding and Resolving Relationship Conflicts
Now that you’ve discovered the hidden layers beneath surface-level arguments, it’s time to delve deeper into the art of breaking free from this relentless cycle. Understanding the complexities that fuel these disputes is the first step towards fostering a healthier, more connected relationship. By acknowledging that arguments often stem from underlying emotions and attachment styles,…
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Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Relationship Arguments Through Emotion-Focused Therapy
Ever find yourself fighting about the same thing over and over again with your partner? In the Emotion Focused Therapy lense, arguments are played out in cycles and are rooted in our attachment styles. When the anxiously attached person pushes to seek validation that the avoidant is still in the relationship, the avoidantly attached person becomes…
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Ditch the Dichotomy: How ‘And’ Can Transform Your Perspective
A trend I see when talking with clients is a tendency toward thinking in absolutes. This idea that something is all or nothing, with no room for the in-between. People don’t give credit to the complexities of our reality. Many people think with a mindset that only one thing is happening at a time when…
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Suicide Prevention Week
*Trigger warning: Please note that this blog is about suicide which includes statics and resources for suicide. Please care for yourself accordingly. 49,449 deaths by suicide in 2021, that’s a 2.6% increase from the year before. Someone you know, or maybe even you, has felt the impact of a loss of a person who has…
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5 Essential Conversations Before Saying “I Do”
As a couples therapist, I’ve witnessed the transformational power of open and honest communication. I have also witnessed the other side of relationships where each partner assumes they are on the same page, only to wake up 5 or 10 years later arguing over topics like kids, money, and relationship roles. These topics are crucial…
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4 Boundaries To Maintain With Yourself
Many times we talk about boundaries in regard to how others treat us. In this week’s blog, I will be discussing boundaries with yourself. Boundaries are how we signal to others how we wish to be treated, proclaim our self-worth, and safeguard our well-being. But let’s not forget the often-overlooked aspect – boundaries with ourselves.…