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 Bring Up an Issue With Your Spouse Without a Fight (3 Proven Starts)
Key takeaways The way you start a hard talk predicts how it will end; a soft start-up lowers defensiveness. Prepare your message first (facts → feeling → need → single clear ask) so you don’t drift into blame. “Read the room”: pick a good time, ask permission, and create safety to avoid stonewalling or blowups. […]
That’s Funny, Honey: How to Use Humor During Marital Conflict to Stop Fights in Their Tracks
Think back to the last time you and your spouse laughed together. Really picture it — the shared glance, the smile you couldn’t hold back, the warmth that softened the air between you.Felt good, right? That same laughter — the effortless connection you feel when you’re both in sync — can also be one […]
10 Signs of Emotional Abuse in Marriage (and How to Heal)
Is Emotional Abuse Quietly Hurting Your Marriage? Here’s How to Recognize It—and Heal Together When couples come to us feeling disconnected, they often say,“We love each other… but something just feels off.”Maybe the spark is gone. Maybe communication feels tense. Maybe you’re walking on eggshells. What many don’t realize is that emotional abuse—often unintentional and […]
What Are the “Four Horsemen” of Relationships? Here’s What the Research Says
If you’ve ever wondered why your marriage feels harder than it used to—or why communication turns into conflict so easily—you’re not alone. Psychologist Dr. John Gottman, one of the world’s leading relationship researchers, has studied couples for over 40 years. His work is so accurate he can predict with over 90% accuracy whether a couple […]
What should I do when my husband ignores me?
If your husband ignores you, you’re probably feeling lonely, rejected, or even angry. You might be wondering, “Why doesn’t he want to talk to me anymore?” or “Is he pulling away for good?” Before you assume the worst, it’s important to slow down, get curious, and figure out what’s really happening underneath the silence. Why […]
How Marriage Intensives can help you stop marital fights before they start
While it’s unreasonable to think that marriage intensives will eradicate all conflict in a relationship, they can definitely help. By getting to the core issues of your relationship and teaching you practical tools that will help you navigate through the difficult topics and feel more connected, you will find yourself feeling closer to each other […]
Body Language and Nonverbal Communication Problems in Marriage
How silent signals shape your relationship more than words ever could By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist, and co-founder of The Marriage Restoration Project. For more than 20 years, he’s helped couples transform hopeless marriages into lasting connection through structured dialogue and emotional safety. The “Silent Third Partner” […]
Marriage Issues: Stopping Emotional Abuse in Marriage
What is emotional abuse in marriage? It can be hard to quantify since it differs greatly from physical abuse but can be the slippery slope that leads to it. Emotional Abuse: What You Should Know Emotional abuse is a topic we get questions about often. So many relationships are suffering from emotional abuse. Stopping emotional […]
Feeling Like “I Don’t Love My Spouse Anymore”? You May Be in the Power Struggle Stage — Not the End of Your Marriage
Many couples panic when the warm, connected feelings of the early relationship fade. Suddenly you’re asking: “Do I love my spouse anymore?” “Why do I feel so disconnected?” “Is my marriage over?” “Did I marry the wrong person?” These thoughts are alarming—but completely normal.They often signal that you’re entering Stage 2 of the 3 Relationship […]
Getting Over an Affair: Your 7-Step Emergency Guide
If you’ve just discovered your spouse had an affair, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed—hurt, betrayed, angry, confused, or even ashamed. Whether you had the affair or your partner did, you’ve landed here because you’re looking for marriage counseling specializing in affair recovery. First, know this: there is hope. Healing after infidelity is one of the hardest […]
No Communication in Marriage? Learn Why. Maximizer vs Minimizer Styles
In a marriage, we need to make sure we communicate effectively. Our communication styles dictate for the most part how we react in certain situations, and the two most common communication styles are maximizers and minimizers. A maximizer is loud and boisterous, while the minimizer is reserved and avoids conflict. This dynamic can become very […]
How to Stop Fight-or-Flight Reactions in Your Marriage
When you feel stressed, it’s hard to make conscious and informed decisions. Instead, your brain shifts into fight-or-flight mode—reacting automatically rather than thoughtfully. In relationships, these reactions often look like: Yelling Shutting down Silent treatment Walking out The problem? Your spouse has their own fight/flight response, which often gets triggered by yours. This creates a […]