Couples Counseling can help couples learn how to emotionally connect, navigate conflict effectively, and share dreams and goals with one another. Couples counseling often comes with mixed opinions. Some couples swear by it, saying it saved their relationship, while others feel it didn’t make a difference. So, does couples counseling really lead to better relationships? This post explores how counseling impacts relationships, what factors influence its success, and what couple

How can I tell someone they need therapy? Listen, validate their feelings and gently encourage. You see the signs. You notice your friend is struggling to keep up with their day-to-day tasks. You hear someone talk about their relationship problems.... over and over again. Someone is experiencing grief at the loss of a loved one. A family member seems stuck and is expressing feelings of hopelessness. How can you tell someone they need therapy? Is it okay to bring it up?

Most couples assume they “should” be able to handle stress on their own. They tell themselves things like, “It’s just a busy season,” or “Everyone deals with this,” or “We’re fine—we’re just tired.” But the truth is this: stress is one of the most underestimated forces in a relationship. It doesn’t always show up as conflict. Sometimes it shows up as distance, irritability, silence, or feeling like you’re living parallel lives instead of sharing one. And because stress often

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming. How do you know what to do to navigate your first therapy session? You might wonder what happens in a first session, how to find the right therapist, or what questions to ask. This guide will help you understand what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make the most of your initial counseling experience. A welcoming therapy room with a single chair and warm lighting How to Find a Therapist That Fits You Finding a therapist who feels

Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), grief, and trauma affect millions of people worldwide. Finding effective treatment options can be a complex journey. One therapy gaining attention for its unique approach and promising results is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This article explores what EMDR is, how it works, and why it can be a helpful treatment for various mental health conditions. A peaceful th

Be quick to listen.... And slow to speak and slow to become angry.... This guidance is found in the Scriptures. It sounds pretty simple and is good advice. Many of us are aware that we should improve our listening skills and avoid becoming angry so quickly. But how can we actually achieve this? What do we need to do differently to be a better listener? Frequently, during couples therapy, I observe a recurring pattern: one partner shares their viewpoint on a subject, and t

Spending fifteen to thirty minutes day talking about each other's day helps couples feel more emotionally intimate and connected. Do you ever feel like your spouse is distant and disengaged, leaving you to wonder why? It can be incredibly frustrating when you desire emotional closeness and intimacy but can't seem to achieve it. What happened to the joyful moments you shared at the start of your relationship? And, how come it is so difficult to talk about hard things? For som

Get to know your partner all over again by asking open-ended questions. Can you recall your initial date with your partner—those early moments in your relationship when you exchanged questions and eagerly anticipated each other's responses? I recall the initial days of my relationship with Matt, who has been my husband for more than twenty-three years now. We would sit on the swing on his front porch, talking late into the night about our dreams, hopes, and aspirations. We as

A joyful moment of closeness and affection shared between a couple, as they turn toward one another with love and warmth. Were you aware...

So often I meet with couples who are struggling to feel heard and understood by their partner. They often complain that as a couple they...

Couples who tune in to one another's bids for connections are intentional about understanding one another's emotional needs. A bid for...

Entropy is a scientific term to describe the tendency of a system to lose energy and cohesion over time. A couple who has an entropic relationship is one that is experiencing loss of a sense of connection over the years. It's not surprising many of us struggle with a sense of disconnection! Couples divide and conquer work, club sports schedule, and household chores. Excessive use of smart phones also has been found to decrease marital satisfaction and increase disconnecti

Ever have a leak in your faucet? The constant sound of "drip.... drip." It can be so annoying and over time, if it isn't fixed, the sound can wear a person down. Couples can become like that drippy faucet when they nag one another with criticisms and contempt. We want to hear when we are doing something good, not constantly reminded about how we are flawed! The constant discouragement drains the relationship over time. Expressing appreciation, fondness and admiration to

Ever wonder why some couples look as if they are best friends while others seem to love to hate each other? Chances are the couples who are best friends implement simple daily strategies to stay emotionally in tune with one another. Believe it or not, it only takes about six hours a week to nurture your relationship and stay connected with one another. Think about how you depart in the morning. What does it look like when you see each other after a long day? How do you

It is hard to communicate a concern with a partner or loved one. If you are like me, it can be because you hate conflict. I will keep quiet and not say anything about how I really feel. For others, it might be because every time you try to voice a concern, you feel misunderstood and are met with defensiveness. Avoiding conflict is not good for your relationship. It can lead to a negative outlook where everything is viewed with dissatisfaction and disapproval. However, man

The Golden Rule is to treat others the way you want to be treated. It is a principle that is found from the teachings of Jesus and is...