Resetting Expectations, Preparing for Holiday Stress

“If we are honest, most of us will admit that with the holidays come all sorts of complicated expectations for perfection: a perfectly decorated house; the perfect gift; and perfect harmony in our relationships,” says PC&CC therapist Ginny Graham. “Try to let go of the myth of perfection that the media goes to such great […]

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Holidaze? Stress and Depression Arrive With Bells On

Despite expectations to the contrary, the holidays often bring on bouts of stress and depression in addition to seasonal cheer. The Mayo Clinic has identified three main trigger points of holiday stress and depression including relationships, finances, and physical demands. But realistic planning can help people cope with the circumstances and actually enjoy themselves more. […]

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Setting the Time and Place for Conversation

In order to keep the peace and be productive when tackling big issues, couples should avoid bringing up loaded topics at bed time or right before rushing out to work or appointments. You might end up arguing all night since you are tired and less able to function with that material in the way you’d […]

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Despite Happy Lives, Americans Debilitated by Rare Negative Events

It may come as no surprise for a nation built on capitalistic measures of success, but it seems that Americans really do seem to require bigger, more powerful experiences in order to feel better about themselves. According to a new study published in the October issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, positive […]

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Lethality Assessment Tools

Police departments across the country are familiarizing themselves with a new tool to combat domestic violence. Aiming to get those at risk into counseling, they are employing so-called “lethality assessments,” which are lists of questions that help gauge the probability that a person may be killed by a loved one. Many in caregiving roles find […]

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Taking Care of Your Relationship By Taking Care of Yourself

If you sometimes feel drained by your relationship, you’re probably frustrated and angry because your needs aren’t being met. Instead of waiting for your partner to change so you can get what you want, take action yourself. Give yourself the nurturing you need! Go for a quiet drive, take a long walk, go fishing, play […]

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Five Mistakes that Keep Couples from the Love They Want: No Matter How Long You’ve Been Together

Many of us make the mistake of believing that relationship therapy is only about what our partners need to do, rather than considering what we can do to help our partners feel more connected. PC&CC’s Rebecca Sears has identified five common missteps that keep people from having the relationships they truly desire. “We all make […]

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Romantic Drives the Key to Relationship Restoration?

For a couple, a back-country road can be restorative in ways that are tough to quantify. “If you’re working on a project together, like scaling a mountain or eve n gardening, it’s a project with an objective and an end date,” says Stacy Notaras Murphy, a couples counselor with Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Centers of […]

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What to Expect from Therapy

If you have ever suggested that another person see a therapist, only to have him look shocked and never bring up his personal life again, you may have come up against the often unspoken stigma about counseling. Many people have no idea what therapy means, beyond the sometimes skewed images presented on the news or […]

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A Top 10 List for Relationship Change: Authentic Changes Can Start Today

It’s an obvious understatement: Improving relationships takes time and energy. But many of us often rush to judge our connections as “all good” or “all bad” before truly applying tools for change. At the same time, the thought of making changes at all may seem overwhelming. Imago Relationship Therapist Keith Miller has developed a top-10 […]

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