Relationships & Couples

How to Use This as a 7‑Day Reset Before You Begin This exercise is designed to be completed between sessions over the course of one week. Day 1: Start With Yourself On the first day, your only task is to observe your own behavior. This helps reduce defensiveness, increase accountability, and soften the negative lens before focusing on your partner. You are not doing this to judge yourself. You are doing this to notice effort. Days 2-7: Shift to Observing Your Partner For the

Learn how the Love Maps exercise, developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman as part of the Gottman Method, supports couples in reconnecting through deeper emotional insight and shared understanding. Instructions:   One person will begin by answering the question about their partner to the best of their ability. If they don't know the answer or can't guess correctly, they should ask their partner for the answer directly (e.g., "what's your favorite color"). The goal is not to a

Taking a Break During Conflict Takes Practice Conflict is natural in relationships but knowing when and how to take a break can prevent harm and promote respect for one another. Here's a structured approach for recognizing when to step away and how to return productively. 1. Recognize Signs of Emotional Flooding Emotional flooding occurs when the nervous system is overwhelmed. These are common signs: Fight : You're verbally aggressive, repeating yourself, or feel unheard.  Ex

Sex is one of the most vulnerable, intimate aspects of a relationship, and yet, it’s also one of the hardest topics for couples to talk about. Many clients feel ashamed, anxious, or afraid of judgment when sexual struggles show up in their relationship. As a therapist, I want to normalize this: difficulties with sex are common, and they don’t mean your relationship is broken. They simply point to areas where healing, understanding, and new tools can bring closeness back. Sex

When couples reach out for therapy, they often hope for a “fix” to their relationship, a guarantee that they will find their happily-ever-after. The truth is couples counseling does not promise a successful relationship. What it does offer is an opportunity: a space to grow, to learn how to communicate more effectively, and to discover trust in yourself and in your partner. Sometimes, that growth leads to a stronger bond and a renewed sense of connection. Other times, it help