How the Big 5 Personality Traits Affect Your Relationships & Marriage Satisfaction
Each of our personalities are as unique as fingerprints but each person’s distinct behavior and feelings when faced with similar situations is deeply affected by our underlying personality traits. Psychologists and sociologists have conducted dozens of studies since the 1980’s to define these traits and identify how each one affects our academic ability and personality. […]
Do Marriage Retreats Really Work? What Research and Real Couples Say
Many couples wonder: “Do marriage retreats really work — or is it just another quick fix?” 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 safe framework for repairing trust. This past weekend, 12 couples attended our Getting the […]
How Emotional Neglect Experienced in Childhood Affects Our Relationships as Adults
Did you or your spouse face emotional neglect as a child? Are you concerned that emotional trauma from your past could be contributing to the conflict you’re experiencing in your marriage today? The parallels between the things you experienced in your childhood and how you behave in your your adult life are unmistakable. People who experience emotional […]
Overcoming Intimacy Issues Caused by Childhood Trauma
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration1 (SAMHSA) more than 2 in 3 children experience at least one traumatic event by the time they turn 16. SAMSHA’s examples of potentially traumatizing experiences range from psychological, physical, and sexual abuse to national disasters, neglect, and serious accidents or life-threatening illnesses. These examples are […]
Define Infidelity-Types of Cheating & How they can Affect Relationships
Infidelity occurs when someone has an emotional, financial, romantic, or sexual relationship with someone other than one’s husband, wife, or partner in a monogamous relationship. Experiencing infidelity can be incredibly nuanced, painful, and frightening for any couple going through it. Couples often disagree about what constitutes cheating, which is why we encourage couples to discuss this […]
Do You Have to Beg your Spouse for Attention? Learn Tips for a Closer Connection Without Seeming Needy
Do you ever feel invisible in your own marriage—like you have to beg your husband or wife just to notice you? Maybe you’ve caught yourself dropping hints, getting frustrated, or even pulling away because you’re tired of asking for affection and not receiving it. You’re not alone. Feeling neglected by your spouse is one of […]
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
Guide to Reconnecting with Your Husband or Wife After A Fight
You’ve had the big argument. The big disagreement. The difficult discussion about that thing you just can’t seem to agree on. A fight, a row, a confrontation. It happens to every couple. Eventually you get into an argument and regret losing your temper or saying something you didn’t mean in the heat of the moment. […]
Sending, Receiving, and Growing: Getting the Most Out of Imago Therapy
Our team of marriage counselors help couples from all walks of life rediscover relationship growth, joy, and a deeper connection. We do this using Imago couples therapy, a comprehensive and thoughtfully structured approach to counseling that truly helps people feel seen, heard, validated, and loved by their partners. If you and your spouse have been thinking […]
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 […]
Can a Joint Bank Account Make Your Marriage Better & Last Longer?
The decision of whether to have joint or separate bank accounts should always be a mutual one. However, it can be a point of contention for couples who don’t agree, couples with vastly different income levels, and one income families with a stay-at-home parent. You’ll have no problem finding supporters and detractors for either approach. […]
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 […]
Why Curiosity Matters in a Marriage
Most of us are aware that the honeymoon phase in relationships doesn’t last forever. The good news? It doesn’t have to! You and your spouse can enjoy life together in a loving relationship without experiencing the blinding enamor felt in the honeymoon phase. The goal of this article is to explain why keeping a sense of curiosity […]
Is There Something Wrong With Going to Couples Therapy? 4 Things Therapists Want You to Know First
If you’re thinking about going to marriage therapy, you might quietly be asking yourself: Does this mean something is wrong with my relationship? Many couples are asking the question, “Is there something wrong with going to couples therapy?” You are NOT alone. Seeking therapy is often a sign of strength, not failure. The reason your […]
Supporting Your Spouse During Stressful Times: How to Stay Connected When Life Gets Hard
All of us face stressful seasons in life. But lately, challenges feel especially heavy—world conflict, financial uncertainty, health concerns. Even if the stress isn’t directly about your marriage, outside pressures inevitably spill over into the relationship. In times like these, marriage matters more than ever. Your partner should be a safe haven—a source of comfort, […]
Fantasizing About Not Being Married? 3 Signs It’s Time for Marriage Counseling
Don’t wait to get help with your marriage, especially if your relationship has become so unhappy that you’re thinking about what it would be like if you were not married to your spouse. Our colleague, psychologist and relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman, once observed that it takes couples an average of six years1 of unhappiness before […]
My Husband Treats Me Like I Don’t Matter: How Can I Earn His Love & Respect?
When our spouse doesn’t value our input or opinions it can feel like you’re all alone in the world. If your husband isn’t expressing the love and respect that you expect it’s time to think about how this could affect your long-term well-being. Once you’ve come to terms with the ill effects this could have […]
A Financial Inventory for Spouses: Questions to Ask Each Other About Money
Of all the variables that can affect the quality and closeness of our intimate relationships, money is one of the most powerful. But it’s not just about how much money a couple has—how each partner thinks and feels about money plays heavily on a couple’s financial and romantic future. In fact, money fights are one of the most common […]
Is Social Media Harming Your Relationship?
Social media can be a gift and a curse, depending on how you use it—and to be sure, plenty of us use it. Many couples complain about their spouse’s excessive mobile phone usage and social media scrolling because it prevents them from connecting. What’s capturing their attention? Very often, it’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or other social media platforms. […]