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: Money Questions for Couples (Without the Pressure)
As a licensed couples therapist (Imago-informed, no-blame/no-shame), I see it every week: money isn’t just math—it’s meaning (safety, fairness, freedom, identity). That’s why money talks can feel so charged. The goal here is not to give you a rigid plan; it’s to open a safer, deeper conversation, and—when trust has been nicked by financial infidelity—to […]
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. […]
Is a Disagreement with In-Laws Affecting Your Marriage?
In-law relationships can have a significant impact on a marriage. That’s why conflict with in-laws requires a united front that puts your marital relationship before the relationship you have with your parents. Perhaps you’ve experienced varying levels of joy and tension while interacting with your mother-in-law or father-in-law. But when the dynamics between spouses and […]
Reestablishing Trust After Infidelity
Learning that your partner was physically intimate with someone else can leave you reeling. But despite how painful it can be, infidelity is not necessarily the beginning of the end for every marriage. For some couples, an extramarital affair even acts as a powerful, if unwanted, catalyst for positive growth within the relationship. As devastating […]
People in Conventional Relationships can Learn a Lot from Neurodiverse Couples
Couples with one or both partners on the autism spectrum face challenges just like people in typical relationships do. Neurodiverse couples face communication challenges that can be addressed to maintain healthy, fulfilling, and long-lasting relationships. That said, there are plenty of unique strengths or benefits to being in a neurodiverse relationship! And while no two […]
What is a Couples Counseling Vacation?
If you have a goal to travel more, consider adding a couples retreat to your itinerary! In this article, let’s talk about what couples counseling vacations are, what to look for in a couples retreat, and what the benefits are of going on this type of adventure with your spouse. What Are Couples Counseling Vacations? […]
After the Affair: How Honest Communication Can Help You Heal or Move On
Learning to Communicate Again After Infidelity Learning how to communicate again after experiencing infidelity is one of the most difficult obstacles a couple can face in a lifetime. However, it’s worth putting in the work because a relationship can never experience a deep emotional connection if partners cannot express themselves openly and feel understood. Infidelity […]
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 […]
Why It’s Important to Go On Dates with Your Spouse & 3 Ideas to Try
Remember the excitement you felt when you were first dating your spouse? The amount of care you put into your outfit and your appearance? The anticipation of seeing each other and the strong desire to reach out and connect again? Going on dates isn’t something only new couples can enjoy. In fact, even though there […]
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 […]
Holiday Parenting Tips for Married Couples: How to Stay United (and Sane)
Holidays are supposed to be magical. But for many married couples, they’re also the most stressful time of the year. Between extended family expectations, financial pressures, and kids bouncing off the walls with excitement, it’s easy for stress to turn into arguments. As a licensed therapist who has worked with couples for over 20 years, […]