How to Constructively Communicate Your Frustration(s) to Your Spouse: A Close Look at the Imago Dialogue
Let’s talk about something that happens in all relationships at one point or another – feeling frustrated with your spouse. Communicating Effectively Using Imago It’s perfectly normal. Whether it’s how many times each of you cook dinner over the week, messes left uncleaned or the bigger stuff like feeling undervalued or overlooked, these frustrations can […]
Marriage Counseling Can Make Things Worse – This is How to Make Sure it Won’t Deepen Your Relationship Issues
What happens if your genuine attempt at saving your marriage – investing your time and money in traditional weekly couples’ therapy – actually exacerbates your relationship issues and makes things worse? This unsettling scenario is more common than one might think, as traditional counseling approaches can sometimes deepen misunderstandings, foster partiality, and leave couples feeling […]
Stuck in the Imago Minimizer/Maximizer Communication Pattern Trap?
In marriages, the minimizer/maximizer dynamic describes how partners respond to stress and conflict: minimizers tend to withdraw, while maximizers seek engagement and expression. This difference in communication styles in conflict can lead to misunderstandings and tension if not properly managed. The Minimizer/Maximizer Relationship Dynamic is Common in High Conflict Marriages If you’re in a relationship […]
Improving Marriage Intimacy by Embracing the Differing Needs of Men & Women in Relationships
The road toward true relationship intimacy can be a long and winding one full of curves, highs, and lows. The unconditional acceptance, reciprocal love and affection in a truly intimate marriage relationship is the ultimate prize worth fighting for. When the initial romance wanes, and it does in all relationships, it’s time to get to […]
Deepening the Connection: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage (part 2)
In Part 1 of “Choosing Each Other Again: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage“ we explored the crucial role of choosing your partner every day to maintain a strong and healthy relationship. We introduced how Imago Relationship Therapy helps couples understand the reasons behind their initial attraction and provides them with practical strategies to […]
Choosing Each Other Again: The Imago Way to a Conscious Marriage (Part 1)
I. Wondering whether you married the right person is normal When you first decided to be together, there was a compelling reason behind that choice—a reason that Imago relationship therapy believes is foundational and significant. We’ll talk more about that reason in just a bit. As the initial excitement of a relationship fades, it’s common […]
Do we still believe in marriage?
In 2017 I published an article called “How My Therapist Destroyed My Marriage“. It was pretty controversial. I got a lot of “hate mail” from other therapists. Others Have Experienced Nightmarish Marriage Counseling Fails as Well I must admit that I felt a little intimidated until my phone started ringing (and still does) with those […]
How to Apologize to Your Spouse Effectively: Healing Through Imago Therapy Techniques
Navigating the Path to Sincere Apologies In every marriage, the journey is filled with moments of joy and challenges, where the words we choose and the way we communicate can either build bridges or walls between us. Apologizing to your spouse, a simple yet profound act, often becomes a stumbling block for many couples. It’s […]
Reviving Connection: Solving Common Communication Challenges in Marriage with Imago Therapy
Alex and Jordan used to talk about everything, from the big dreams to the small details of their day, feeling connected in a way that seemed unbreakable.Their early days were filled with deep discussions and laughter over morning coffee. But as time passed, those easy, deep conversations started to fade. Now, they find themselves stuck […]
Enhancing Your Relationship Through Self-Care, Together: A Mutual Journey to Well-being
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that taking care of ourselves somehow takes away from our relationships. We’re often led to believe that the more we give and sacrifice, the better partners we are. But here’s the truth: neglecting our own well-being doesn’t make us better lovers or friends; it just leaves […]
Understanding Emotional Intimacy: What It Is, Why It’s Essential & How to Cultivate It
Cultivating Deeper Emotional Connections in Your Relationship Exploring the Essence of Emotional Intimacy in Relationships Have you ever felt a lingering sense of longing in your relationship, a subtle yet persistent feeling that something essential is missing, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? Often, this gap we sense is not due to […]
Rekindling the Spark: 5 Actionable Steps When You Love Your Spouse But Aren’t In Love
Navigating the Evolving Stages of Marriage When you first said “I do,” you likely found yourself in the enchanting honeymoon phase of marriage, where everything felt perfect, and your love seemed unshakeable. This blissful period, characterized by deep attraction and an overwhelming sense of unity, represents the first stage of a marital journey. However, as […]
Overcoming Silence: 5 Thoughtful Strategies For When Your Spouse Avoids Relationship Talks
How to Encourage Open Dialogue in Your Marriage Navigating a relationship where one partner is hesitant to discuss issues can feel like walking through a maze blindfolded. Their reluctance to communicate can leave you feeling isolated and perplexed, pondering over a myriad of unanswered questions. Is it fear, misunderstanding, or perhaps a deep-seated belief that […]
15 Positive Signs of a Healthy Marriage: Expert Insights from a Relationship Therapist
Celebrating the Strengths of Your Marriage: 15 Green Flags to Look For We often hear about red flags in relationships—the signs of distress or disconnection. But it’s just as important, if not more so, to recognize the green flags—the signs that your marriage is not just surviving, but thriving. After working with many couples over […]
3 Key Strategies to Strengthen Your Marriage When Times Get Tough
When the Easy Road Turns Rocky in relationships. Strengthening Your Marriage with Resilience Perhaps you didn’t expect your marriage to be a walk in the park. At the same time, you may not have anticipated it’d be so tough at times. Some days it feels like you’re on a smooth path, hand in hand, everything […]
Think You & Your Husband or Wife are Incompatible After Years of Marriage?
You didn’t get married expecting to feel this alone. The tension. The arguments over the smallest things. The silence that lingers even when nothing is wrong. You start to wonder:“Are we just too different? Are we even compatible anymore?” It’s a painful question. But before you decide incompatibility is the issue, consider this:Most couples who […]
Criticism of Imago Therapy for Couples & Situations When IRT Yields the Best Outcome
The goal of Imago relationship therapy is to help married couples build a deeper connection and improve their marriages through empathy and communication. Like all therapeutic modalities and approaches there are situations when Imago therapy may not be the best method. Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) has gained significant popularity as a therapeutic approach to helping […]
4 Romantic Waterfalls to Discover with Your Spouse in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Guanacaste is the northwest province of Costa Rica boasting an abundance of breathtaking natural wonders like lagoons, volcanic formations, thermal springs, and of course otherworldly waterfalls. Scientists discovered that the negative ions that are emitted when water molecules collide create a sense of euphoria, making waterfalls one of the most romantic destinations for couples around […]
3 Hidden Beaches to Explore with Your Spouse on Your Retreat’s Rest Days in Costa Rica
We’ve been hosting couples at marriage counseling retreats in Costa Rica for a few years now. During our time here we’ve been fortunate enough to discover some hidden beaches that you can discover with your husband or wife on your retreat’s rest days. We’re talking a pink sand beach, a hidden beach you must know […]
Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin’s Recent News Contributions and Online Features
Browse some of Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin’s recent contributions and expert advice from columnists, journalists, and reporters. Need to interview a licensed, experienced marriage counselor? Fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page to request answers, advice, or expert information about a topic related to couples therapy. We’re also happy to verify facts […]