Sending, Receiving, and Growing: Getting the Most Out of Imago Therapy
Our team of marriage counselors help couples from all walks of life rediscover relationship growth, joy, and a deeper connection. We do this using Imago couples therapy, a comprehensive and thoughtfully structured approach to counseling that truly helps people feel seen, heard, validated, and loved by their partners. If you and your spouse have been thinking […]
What If My Spouse Won’t Come to Counseling? 4 Practical Steps to Try
One of the most common questions we hear is: “What do I do if my spouse refuses marriage counseling?” It can feel discouraging when one partner is open to seeking help while the other is resistant. Maybe your spouse had a bad experience in the past. Maybe they don’t believe therapy works. Or maybe they […]
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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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? […]
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 […]
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 […]
Best Gifts to Give Your Spouse According to Their Love Language
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. Why Love-Language-Based Gifts Matter Couples often ask, “What’s the best gift for my spouse?” or […]
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 […]
3 Boundaries You Should Never Cross in Marriage (If You Want Lasting Love)
Boundaries in marriage are often misunderstood. Many think they create distance, but the truth is, healthy boundaries create safety, trust, and respect—the very foundation of intimacy. Think of boundaries as guardrails that protect your relationship from resentment, burnout, and emotional flooding. When couples blur or ignore them, trust erodes. When couples honor them, connection deepens. […]
How to Stay Connected as a Couple During the Holidays
Key takeaways Holiday stress and marriage often collide; short, scheduled holiday couple check-ins keep you aligned. Create small holiday traditions for couples to anchor connection amid busy calendars. Learn how to say no during the holidays so you can say “yes” to each other. Volunteering as a couple builds shared purpose and boosts well-being. 1) […]
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?
Most relationship therapists have a policy regarding individual sessions with clients who are attending therapy together. Sometimes counselors allow individual counseling if one party seeks it, while others do not because it can make the other partner feel like their therapist is taking sides. If you have an upcoming session and your partner can’t make […]