Help! How to Write My Wedding Vows

Crying Out for Love My fiancé and I are getting married next month, and the process of planning a wedding as a couples counselor is an interesting one. As an Imago therapist, I very much believe in Harville Hendrix’s explanation of the journey of love – how, when we first fall in love, our partner […]

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Blame, Shame, and Criticism in Your Relationship is Toxic

Criticism, defined as the expression of disapproval or disappointment, can take many forms and can range from constructive feedback to harsh or attacking statements. In this article, criticism is defined as language that blames, shames, or belittles your partner. Regardless of the form it takes, excessive criticism can be harmful to the health of a […]

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New Relationship Resolutions for 2023

Start Right , Stay Connected The beginning of the New Year is a good time to think about goals for the year ahead. We canset goals anytime, but these built-in dates on our calendar are helpful. Just as Thanksgiving is atime to focus on gratitude, New Year is a good time to focus on changes […]

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Don’t know much about biology

Strong relationships lead to long, healthy, happy lives.

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Keep Calm and Merry On!

How to weather the holidays with acts of self-care.

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Reclaim Your Lost Parts, You are Worth It

Brilliant Adaptations As adults, other people’s character traits trigger us in intimate relationships Take a closer look at the characteristics that precipitate our mean-spirited response with those closest to us.  Meanwhile, in other settings, we display a loving, conscious, and empathetic pattern.  We respond to triggers with the traits that we most need. Defense responses […]

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What to Expect in a Break Up

Life Happens This time of the year can be incredibly challenging if you are in the storm of a breakup.  Over twenty years ago I sat in that seat. I never imagined this would be my journey. Why would two reasonably intelligent people travel down this road? When it was me, I found myself coping with […]

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Do you want to change your relationship? Change your Lens!

Change your lens, change your relationship! First of all, how would your relationship be different if you approached your partner reflecting on two questions: What can I celebrate in my partner? and 2. What’s right with our relationship? This sounds challenging, right? We are not programmed this way! Our default is looking for what’s not […]

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Group Therapy or Counseling is Helpful During a Breakup

Navigating a Breakup During the Holiday Season Some people will not be seated at the table for the holidays. Life circumstances are causing spikes in couples deciding to terminate relationships. A leading law firm notes a 122% increase in inquiries about services for divorce between July 2021 and October 2021 compared to the previous year. […]

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How to Be a Vulnerable Partner and Share Intimate Connection

Reality shows and Relationships I love watching reality dating shows.  Especially the more immersive, experiential ones (nod to OWN’s Ready to Love and Put a Ring on It, Lifetime’s Married at First Sight (MAFS) and 90-Day Fiancé, and Netflix’s Love is Blind, just to name a few). And kudos to the on-screen licensed therapists, relationship coaches, and […]

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