Many people have difficulty identifying and expressing their feelings. Men, in particular, seem to have difficulty expressing feelings of sadness. Often, their sadness or anxiety seems to come out as anger. People may fear their emotions are a sign of weakness or they might think they are exaggerating a problem. Other people don’t take the time to […]
Assertive behaviors help people to express their feelings, explain their needs, and set limits when they don’t want to do something. Learning how to be assertive can be very helpful in relationships. When people are able to be assertive, they tend to develop more self-worth and tension in the relationship decreases. Some people tend to […]
Sugar and spice and all that’s nice. That’s what little girls are made of. Father daughter relationships are complicated. One minute they are your little girl in pigtails, following you everywhere. You’re the only man in their lives. Then one day she grows up. She spends more time with her friends, starts wearing makeup, and […]
When a couple experiences grief, it can make them stronger as an individual and as a couple. Much of the time, however, grief creates a divide between two people if they are not careful about working on their relationship throughout the grieving process. Grief results from losses, such as loss of a job, all the […]
Arguing is normal between couples. The important thing to remember about disagreements is to control your behavior during a conflict. Ask yourself about what sorts of behaviors you exhibit when you and your partner disagree and determine how this impacts the relationship. Talk to your partner and try to establish some ground rules about conflict. […]
We Americans don’t often talk about class. We prefer to think of ourselves as middle class or just simply free agents, choosing whatever we want to be and do. Nevertheless, class is important in terms of all the choices we make or are made for us. As for relationships, class differences can create conflicts that […]
We have two ears and only one mouth, however, most people tend to talk more than they listen. Listening to your partner is very important. Improving listening skills can help a variety of marital issues. Many arguments are due to communication problems where people do not hear what their partner is saying or they misunderstand […]
In many relationships, one partner focuses on trying to “fix” the other. They put a lot of focus and energy into trying to get their partner to change. This can lead to both partners feeling angry, frustrated, and resentful. Perhaps you like to arrive early and your partner is always late. Or maybe you like […]
Many couples report feeling bored in their relationship. Some couples report losing the “spark” they once experienced. Couples often struggle in dealing with the stress of jobs, children, bills, lack of time, loss of energy that can drain the relationship of passion. To address this issue, couples need to evaluate themselves as individuals as well […]
This posting is a beginning discussion of differences people might bring into their relationships. Other postings will address class, education, religious, and geographic differences. There are some common ways to address these differences, and some require special handling. You should have your therapist help you sort out how best to proceed. The saying goes, “Loves […]
You and your partner are fighting about money. So, what else is new? Did you discuss how you both think about money before you got serious? Did you sign a prenuptial agreement so that at least you knew what was what? Did circumstances change during your time together so that you have to re-argue everything? […]
Emotional abuse can cause a lot of hurt, anger, and fear. There are some obvious forms of emotional abuse such as name calling. There are more subtle signs, such as intimidation, that are important to be aware of as well. Verbal abuse is a form of emotional abuse. This can include name calling, insults, or […]
As little girls we often think about our “prince charming” and daydream about our wedding day. We imagine falling in love with a tall, dark, and handsome man, spending hours and hours with him, and getting proposed to in the most romantic way imaginable. As we get older we start wondering when and if this […]
By Maria C. Ramos, MS. MFT When do we start losing our sense of Self? Is it when we join forces with our significant other? Or, is it when we become insignificant within our own families? Or, is it when we work under individuals who do not allow us to grow and improve our position […]
I know there are some people who say “I wish,” but there are some people for whom this issue is a real problem – they feel they are being loved too much. This can feel like you are being smothered, and while a little bit is good for a relationship, there does come a time […]
It’s Monday night. You and your partner are sitting on the couch, unwinding after a long day. The kids are asleep, and you have the next two hours to spend together. Instead, you’re streaming Netflix on your TV, your eyes are fixated on your laptop, and you’re compulsively checking your phone every two minutes for […]
There are few relationships that are really perfect; in fact, most relationships go through their ups and down. Some relationships seem to go through the extremes. One moment they are quite happy, and the next, one member is walking out, either ‘going back home to mom’ or ‘spending the night in town’. These are the […]
You’ve decorated the nursery, picked out a name, and are headed home from the hospital. You’re parents. Life will never be the same, and though the addition of a newborn is exciting and full of joy, it can also be overwhelming and downright stressful (trust me–I have a 7 month old)! How do you keep […]
Research shows that the probability of someone having an affair in a relationship is very high (between 40 and 76 percent in one study). With almost half of all relationships involving infidelity, you may be wondering what to do after such an incidence occurs. First, you have to decide if you are going to tell […]
Whether you are in a new relationship or a long-term relationship (especially marriage), being able to say no without guilt is important to your own well being as well as the well being of your relationship. In the past, it was not acceptable for a wife to say no. Over the years, things have changed, […]
