Is My Marriage Over? 5 Signs & What to Do Next
It’s one of the scariest questions a couple can ask: Is my marriage over? If you’re lying awake at night replaying fights, feeling alone in the same house, or wondering if you’ll ever get back to the way it used to be, you’re not alone. Many couples reach this painful crossroads. The good news? Hitting […]
The Silent Treatment: How to Communicate Through Conflict Without Withdrawal
The Silent Treatment: How to Communicate Through Conflict Without Withdrawal Conflict in marriage is inevitable. Whether it’s a disagreement about dinner or a major family decision, the way you handle conflict can either strengthen your relationship or create distance. One of the most damaging responses? The silent treatment. While withdrawing may feel like a safe […]
Getting Along with Extended Family for the Holidays: How to Prepare for the Festive Season Ahead
The holidays can be magical—but they can also be stressful, especially when extended family is involved. Whether it’s juggling multiple family traditions, managing tension between relatives, or trying to keep your in-laws happy, it’s no wonder so many couples search for advice on how to survive family gatherings without losing their sanity. The good news? […]
Can a Marriage Survive Political Differences? How to Stop Fighting and Reconnect
If you’ve ever thought, “My spouse and I fight constantly about politics” or “My husband is obsessed with politics—what do I do?”, you’re not alone. In today’s polarized world, political disagreements are straining even the strongest marriages. Politics can spark heated arguments, hurt feelings, and resentment. One spouse may feel dismissed or attacked when the […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Is my spouse a narcissist?
Think your spouse is a narcissist? Thankfully there are a lot more resources out there to support a spouse married to an abusive partner. The most important thing is always to make sure that you are physically safe and not in danger. If you are truly safe and you’re just wondering about something someone may […]
What Surrendering in Marriage Really Means (and Why It Builds Trust)
When people hear the word surrender in marriage, it can feel loaded. Many immediately think: Becoming a doormat Losing independence Being taken advantage of But true surrender is not weakness. In fact, it requires self-respect, emotional intelligence, and inner strength. Healthy surrender in marriage is about letting go of unnecessary control, staying open-hearted, and building […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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: Tips for Using Humor During Marital Conflict to Stop Fights in Their Tracks
Want to know why bringing the heat down a notch during a relationship conflict is so important? Close your eyes and picture the last time you and your spouse laughed together. Really put yourself in that memory, conjuring up how it felt. It felt good, right? Want to feel it again? There’s no question that […]