Search Results for: couples experiencing relationship trouble

Has Your Relationship Become Off Balance?

…g questions could help you identify if a fantasy bond is operating in your relationship: Has form replaced the substance in your relationship? People in the fantasy bond typically focus on form over substance. That is, they place more value on symbols of their union than on maintaining genuine intimacy in real time. With an emphasis on established routines and traditions, such as anniversaries or fixed date nights, they begin operating more from h…

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Top 10 Effective Communication Techniques for Couples

…lping out. In conclusion, effective communication is one of the top skills couples can learn to improve their relationship or marriage. These interpersonal communication skills are verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. Among the top 10 effective communication techniques for couples are listening, fighting fair, getting the facts, caring, honesty, respecting, observing, obtaining third party interventions and active participation. Author Bi…

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How to Go “All In” in a Relationship (Without Losing Yourself)

…adapted as children go on to shape how we see ourselves, our partners, and relationships in general. Although we may think we want lasting love, for many of us, a healthy and equal relationship poses a threat to the way we see ourselves and the world. Because our fear of intimacy ties so deeply to our (often painful) past, many of us fail to see it for what it is. Rather than understanding the root of our anxiety around being open and vulnerable t…

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The Perfect ‘Imperfect’ Relationship

…and tools to differentiate from it. You can become who you want to be in a relationship and shape the relationship you want to be in. Naturally, this journey isn’t easy. Relationships are rarely easy, but they also shouldn’t be drudgery. Instead, they should be looked at as an adventure, and like climbing a mountain or crossing an ocean, we shouldn’t expect a perfectly smooth ride. We must remember that every couple is made up of two independent p…

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How to Preserve Your Individuality While Quarantining with Your Partner

…rs further advice about how to talk to your partner: Communication Between Couples: How to Communicate in a Relationship Respect your partner’s individuality. Encourage his/her unique interests and personal goals, independent of your own. Be sensitive to his/her wants, desires and feelings and place them on an equal basis with yours. This type of interest in and feeling for your partner is altruistic and goes beyond any selfish or self-serving con…

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Why Is Honesty So Important in a Relationship?

…ot lying” is certainly a piece of the puzzle when it comes to a successful relationship. Unsurprisingly, studies have shown that couples who cease to lie to each other for a measured period of time reported smoother interactions and improved relating. One study even linked this improvement to better overall health in participants. However, there’s far more to being honest than not telling lies. Our ability to be open and truthful with a partner is…

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how to Improve Relationships By Knowing Your Attachment Style

How to Improve Relationships By Knowing Your Attachment Style

…vestigated how attachments might vary between children From Psychology Today: How Your Attachment Style Impacts Your Relationship Loving a Trauma Survivor: Understanding Childhood Trauma’s Impact On Relationships How to Trust in a Healing Relationship as a Trauma Survivor Healthy Relationships Matter More than We Think How Mr. Rogers helped to create secure attachment…

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Be Your Own Couples Therapist

…r origin, I’m amazed at the similarities in the patterns and pitfalls that couples fall into. When two people walk into my office and start discussing their relationship, the first thing I tell them is to focus on empowering yourself. The only person you can change is you. If both parties accept this, real change is possible in the relationship. With this theme of self-empowerment in mind, I offer you six suggestions on how you can be your own cou…

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Are You Sacrificing a Perfect Relationship for a Perfect Wedding?

…trée can be quite a distraction from other aspects of your life, even your relationship itself. Wedding planning leaves many couples at-risk of placing form over content. In other words, you can shift your concentration to everything looking perfect and away from actually being great in your relationship. Exhausting yourself with organizing a wedding can take its toll on intimacy. The “your day” mentality surrounding the occasion may feel good at…

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Just Be Kind: The Only Relationship Advice You’ll Ever Need

…ggestion seems obvious on one hand, but it’s actually really hard for most couples to take at a certain point in their relationship. Many people I’ve talked to resisted the recommendation, responding with statements like “I can’t do that, or “why would I be nice to him/her?” To understand why we have this resistance and why we often find it challenging to simply be kind to our partner, there are three important concepts to consider: Fear of Intima…

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