Should You Work on Your Own “Stuff” Before Trying Couples Therapy?
Should I go to individual therapy before couples therapy? What if my therapist says I’m the problem in my marriage? Can couples therapy help if childhood trauma is involved? Do I need to fix myself before marriage counseling? For many couples, even deciding to go to marriage counseling is a big leap. You may worry […]
When to Seek Marriage Counseling: 14 Signs It’s Time to Get Help
If you’re wondering when to seek marriage counseling, and if it’s too late or not, you’re not alone. Many couples ask this question—sometimes when the signs are glaring, and other times when things feel “off” but not catastrophic. What’s obvious to one partner may not be obvious to the other. Signs that marriage counseling can […]
What is the best marital therapy? How is Gottman different from Imago therapy?
With all of the choices of marriage counselors practicing different kinds of therapy modalities out there, how can you know what is the best marital therapy and most importantly, what is the best marriage help for your unique situation? Let’s talk about the differences between Gottman therapy and Imago therapy as those are two very […]
When your partner upsets with negativity
Sometimes there’s a situation in a relationship where one partner is working hard to be more positive and the other partner is consistently negative. This can start as a minor annoyance and grow to something catastrophic for a marriage. It’s a relationship dynamic that can be incredibly hard, especially for the one that is working […]
What to do if you are no longer physically attracted to your spouse?
Life happens, kids happen, weight gain happens. And sometimes our partner can look very different than they did when we first met. What can you do if you are no longer physically attracted to your partner? Let’s think back to when you first fell in love and knew you wanted to commit to the one […]
Are there any couples that are beyond help? Is it ever just too late?
By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor & Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project Is It Ever Too Late to Fix a Marriage? Short answer: It’s rarely too late to fix a marriage if both partners are willing to engage differently. Even couples who’ve “failed” in past counseling can rebuild when emotional […]
Can a Marriage Survive Sexual Trauma? Healing Intimacy and Rebuilding Trust
Any past traumatic experience keeps a person in survival mode—a tensing of the body and mind, as the brain’s main job is to keep you safe. Anything that reminds you of that trauma can trigger reactivity, keeping you stuck in fight-or-flight. Sexual trauma is no different. In fact, trauma from many years ago—even childhood—can continue […]
How can you go to couples therapy when your spouse betrayed you?
If your trust has been broken by your spouse—through infidelity, lies, financial betrayal, or other breaches—you may be asking: “Why should I even consider couples counseling if I can’t trust them?” It’s a fair, painful question. After all, you didn’t choose to betray your marriage. So why should you be the one to sit in […]
How Is Imago Marriage Counseling Different? Comparing Options When You’ve Tried Everything Else
One of the most common questions I hear from couples is: “How is your marriage counseling program different from the other counseling we’ve already tried?” At our last group retreat in Baltimore, a couple asked on the very first day: “Our previous therapist told us we were too volatile and should get divorced. How is […]
Keep a Marriage Gratitude Journal to Help You Appreciate Your Relationship
Nobody means to take their spouse for granted but sometimes we unfortunately get busy with life and our day-to-day routines that we start forgetting how much we appreciate one another. One of the secrets (and maybe it’s not-so-secret) to helping your marriage thrive over time is to maintain an ongoing sense of appreciation and […]
How to Discuss Vaccines When You and Your Spouse Disagree
A healthy marriage is a safe haven. It’s a place where partners can discuss important and often difficult topics with honesty and confidence. But when you and your partner disagree about something as polarizing as the COVID-19 or flu vaccine, the conversation can quickly spiral into unproductive arguments. Many couples have faced this challenge during […]
Is It Okay to See Your Marriage Therapist Without Your Spouse?
You’ve finally scheduled couples therapy — but what happens if your spouse can’t make a session, refuses to come, or needs a break?Many people wonder whether it’s okay to meet with the marriage therapist alone. The short answer: sometimes yes — but it depends on your therapist’s policy, your goals, and the stage of your […]
On Fighting Fair: How to Disagree with Your Spouse without Fighting
One difference between couples in a healthy versus an unhealthy marriage isn’t whether they argue—it’s how they argue. Think about it; virtually all spouses are going to butt heads from time to time. It’s an inevitable outcome of individual minds creating a life together while still being true to themselves. In fact, a study conducted by John Gottman determined […]
How to Deal With a Toxic Family Member: 4 Steps That Work
Key takeaways Confirm the signs of a toxic family member before acting. Set boundaries with toxic family using short, specific rules—then follow through. Expect pushback; hold consequences calmly (no JADE: don’t justify, argue, defend, explain). Prioritize safety. If behavior crosses into abuse, make a safety plan and seek support. Is this toxic—or just a tough […]
How to Apologize to Your Spouse and Save Your Marriage: 6 Steps to Break the Cycle
When your marriage feels tense, distant, or on the verge of breaking, you don’t have the luxury of waiting for things to “just get better.” Every conversation can feel like walking on eggshells, and the emotional gap between you and your spouse grows a little wider each day. In moments like these, the right kind […]
How Trauma from the Past Affect our Adult Relationships
Sometimes when we try to succeed in life, we are held back by trauma from childhood. Trauma plays a huge role in relationships. Not only does childhood trauma impact your relationship with your parent, it unconsciously influences your partner selection and can impact all of your relationships. We find that people tend to look for […]
Do Kids Know When Parents Argue? How Fighting Impacts Your Children (and What You Can Do About It)?
If you’ve ever whispered during a disagreement or waited until the kids were asleep to hash things out, you’ve probably thought: “At least they don’t know what’s going on.” But here’s the truth — they do.Even when you think they’re busy on their iPads or in another room, kids sense everything: your tone, your body […]
Silent Treatment in Marriage: Why It’s Toxic and How to Stop It
Whether you’re on the receiving end or giving it to your partner, the silent treatment can create a toxic dynamic in marriage. Most of us know what it feels like to shut down during conflict—walking around in cold silence, refusing to respond, or withdrawing behind walls. In the moment, silence may feel like safety or […]
Imago Therapy Training for Therapists: The New Clinical Textbook Every Couples Counselor Needs
If you’re a therapist or counselor looking for Imago therapy training for therapists, you’ve probably heard of Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) — the powerful method that helps couples move from conflict to connection. Dr. Harville Hendrix and Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, creators of Imago Relationship Therapy, have released the first-ever clinical textbook written specifically for […]
[Coupon Code PLUS Imago Dialogue Video Examples] Watch Harville and Helen’s New Book, ‘Doing Imago Relationship Therapy’ Come to Life!
Order Harville’s book using Coupon Code for 25% off: Norton90 at http://www.wwnorton.com/ Doing Imago Relationship Therapy In the Space-Between is a MUST-HAVE book in your arsenal of tools for maximizing your therapy work. Here’s what other relationship experts are saying about it: “Straight from the creators of the highly influential Imago Relationship Therapy, this book […]