Do we still believe in marriage?
In 2017 I published an article called “How My Therapist Destroyed My Marriage“. It was pretty controversial. I got a lot of “hate mail” from other therapists. Others Have Experienced Nightmarish Marriage Counseling Fails as Well I must admit that I felt a little intimidated until my phone started ringing (and still does) with those […]
How to Apologize to Your Spouse Effectively: Healing Through Imago Therapy Techniques
Navigating the Path to Sincere Apologies In every marriage, the journey is filled with moments of joy and challenges, where the words we choose and the way we communicate can either build bridges or walls between us. Apologizing to your spouse, a simple yet profound act, often becomes a stumbling block for many couples. It’s […]
When Communication Isn’t Enough: Signs You Need Marriage Therapy or a Retreat
Alex and Jordan’s story is all too familiar. Once full of laughter and late-night talks, their marriage now revolves around schedules, chores, and quiet resentment. At first, the change felt subtle — but one day they realized: we’re not really talking anymore. If this sounds familiar, you may be asking: Do we just need better […]
Enhancing Your Relationship Through Self-Care, Together: A Mutual Journey to Well-being
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that taking care of ourselves somehow takes away from our relationships. We’re often led to believe that the more we give and sacrifice, the better partners we are. But here’s the truth: neglecting our own well-being doesn’t make us better lovers or friends; it just leaves […]
How to Build Emotional Intimacy with Your Spouse: 3 Proven Ways to Feel Closer Than Ever
Exploring the Essence of Emotional Intimacy in Relationships Have you ever felt a subtle but persistent longing in your marriage—a sense that something important is missing, even though the love is still there? Often, that gap isn’t caused by a lack of affection, but by the absence of something deeper: emotional intimacy1. Emotional intimacy is […]
Still Love Your Spouse but Not “In Love”? 5 Proven Steps to Rekindle the Spark
Why So Many Couples Feel This Way If you’ve ever thought: “I love my spouse, but I’m not in love anymore,” you’re not alone. Thousands of couples Google this exact phrase every month. Relationships naturally go through stages. The honeymoon phase eventually gives way to the “power struggle” — where routines, responsibilities, and old arguments […]
When Your Spouse Avoids Relationship Talks: 5 Strategies to Encourage Open Dialogue
One of the most common frustrations couples share is: “My spouse shuts down when I try to talk about our relationship.” Silence can feel like rejection, but it usually doesn’t mean a lack of love. More often, withdrawal is a protective mechanism—a way to avoid vulnerability or conflict. Still, when one partner avoids relationship talks, […]
15 Signs of a Healthy Marriage: Green Flags from a Relationship Therapist
Key Takeaways Healthy marriages center on perceived partner responsiveness—feeling understood, validated, and cared for predicts relationship quality. A high positive-to-negative interaction ratio (about 5:1) and effective repair attempts during conflict are hallmarks of thriving couples. Active-constructive responding to a partner’s good news (“capitalization”) strengthens satisfaction and intimacy. Regular gratitude expressions reliably boost relationship satisfaction and […]
What Really Works When Marriage Gets Hard? 3 Strategies Couples Need to Know Before Choosing Counseling
Marriage isn’t always smooth sailing. Some days you’re deeply connected, and other days you’re stuck in tension, wondering if things will ever get better. If you’ve been asking “What really works when marriage gets hard so we don’t turn into roommates instead of soulmates?”—you’re not alone. Studies show that most couples experience multiple rocky phases […]
Can My Marriage Survive After Infidelity? How to Rebuild Trust.
The Shattering Impact of Betrayal Few things shake a marriage like infidelity. Whether it’s an emotional affair, physical betrayal, or secret online connection, the effect is the same: a deep rupture of trust. Many spouses describe it as having the rug pulled out from under them — suddenly questioning everything they thought they knew about […]
The Smart Couple’s Guide to Hiring a Marriage Counselor Who Gets Results
Hiring a marriage counselor is one of the most important relationship decisions you’ll ever make—and not all therapists are equally equipped to help. Many couples unknowingly choose a counselor based on location, insurance coverage, or availability, only to discover that the fit isn’t right or the results are underwhelming. In this guide, you’ll learn how […]
Why Weekly Marriage Counseling Doesn’t Always Work (and What to Do Instead)
When your marriage is struggling, the last thing you want is to spend months—or even years—sitting in weekly counseling sessions that leave you feeling stuck. Intensive marriage retreats offer a faster, more effective path to clarity. In just a few days, you and your spouse can uncover whether your marriage is salvageable and start building […]
Do Marriage Retreats Really Work? Especially Marriage Intensives & Weekend Couples Therapy Retreats?
Many couples wonder: “Do marriage retreats really work — or is it just another quick fix?” Here’s why we think Intensive Weekend Marriage Retreats Beat Weekly Counseling Every Time. The truth is, retreats aren’t magic. But for many couples, they provide something weekly counseling can’t: an immersive reset, uninterrupted time to reconnect, and a framework […]
How to rebuild trust in a relationship after betrayal
Listen to the episode below for insight into healing a relationship when trust is broken. Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:41 — 11.6MB) | EmbedSubscribe: Spotify | Android | Email | Deezer | RSS | More
What If My Spouse Won’t Come to Counseling? 4 Practical Steps to Try
One of the most common questions we hear is: “What do I do if my spouse refuses marriage counseling?” It can feel discouraging when one partner is open to seeking help while the other is resistant. Maybe your spouse had a bad experience in the past. Maybe they don’t believe therapy works. Or maybe they […]
Are trial separations a good idea? Do trial separations really work?
Therapists often recommend doing a trial separation from each other to see if absence can make the heart grow fonder for couples that are going through a lot of conflict. But is this recommendation a good idea? Do trial separations really work? In this podcast episode below, we discuss three reasons why trial separation may […]
4 Ways to Enjoy Better Communication in Marriage for Better Connection: Are You Making These Communication Mistakes?
Are you and your spouse struggling to communicate without fighting, shutting down, or feeling misunderstood? You’re not alone. Communication challenges are one of the biggest reasons couples feel disconnected in their marriage. The good news: communication is a skill you can learn — and when you do, the connection, intimacy, and teamwork return. In this […]
Do You Believe in Soulmates? What Imago Therapy Teaches Us About Marriage
Everywhere from Reddit threads to dinner table debates, people ask: “Are soulmates real — or just a romantic myth?” As a Rabbi and psychotherapist, I see this question come up often in my work with couples. From an Imago Relationship Therapy perspective, the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. In many ways, soulmates […]
How to Stick to Your New Year’s Resolution in 2025 (Even If You’ve Failed Before)
Every December, millions of us tell ourselves: “This is the year I’ll finally stick to my resolution.” Yet by February, most goals have fizzled out. Sound familiar? After the upheaval of the past few years, it’s natural to wonder if setting resolutions even matters anymore. With so much out of our control, why bother? But […]
Control Issues in a Relationship
“Control issues” usually stem from fear or anxiety. When a person is afraid of an outcome or wants things to be a certain way, they can become rigid. By feeling a sense of control, they can reduce their anxiety and feel that they have power. While it is easy to label someone as controlling, it […]