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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Relationship Repair Attempts: What They Are, Why They Work & 10 Examples for Your Own Marriage
Relationship Repair Attempts: What They Are, Why They Work & 10 Examples for Your Own Marriage Dr. John Gottman calls repair attempts the emotionally intelligent couple’s secret weapon. They’re the small but powerful gestures that stop an argument from spiraling out of control — and they might be the most underrated relationship skill of all. […]
Understanding The 4 Attachment Styles (And How They Might Influence Your Marriage)
Let’s face it; people are complex. We all have highly personal histories that affect who we are, how we see the world, and how we interact with others. For this reason, it might sound impossible to classify individuals into a just handful of categories used to describe human nature. But decades of psychological research suggests this kind of broad categorization […]
Setting Goals As a Couple: Strategies on Lasting Achievement
We use goals to improve all areas of our lives—from health and finances to career and marriage. And accomplishing a goal isn’t even the only benefit of setting one in the first place! It turns out that the very act of setting and working toward a goal can boost your well-being and self-confidence. Having a personal mission or objective provides a […]
What’s The Difference Between Perpetual and Solvable Problems? (Hint: Every Marriage Has Both)
According to relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman, the majority of problems married couples have are “perpetual.” These ongoing issues exist in virtually every relationship—yes, even healthy ones. The idea that most problems in your marriage are “perpetual” may bring up thoughts of doom and gloom. After all, if a problem persists indefinitely between spouses, how can they ever find peace and fulfillment in their […]
Is Imago Therapy Evidence-Based? What the Research Really Says
At The Marriage Restoration Project, our mission is to help couples thrive in their relationships and rediscover the power of what their union can offer them—emotionally, spiritually, and practically. We believe a healthy and vibrant marriage is greater than the sum of its parts, and every partnership deserves the chance to reach that level of […]
Communicating with your spouse doesn’t have to stink! (Video Series)
Communicating with your spouse doesn’t have to be so hard. And yet communication problems are the #1 biggest reported problem for most married couples. Truthfully, achieving healthy communication really is one of the hardest things to learn how to do well! Relationship communication coaching can help improve your emotional and physical intimacy so that you […]
What to Do (and When) After Infidelity
By Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin, LCPC — Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Founder of The Marriage Restoration Project When You’re Asking “Can We Ever Come Back From This?” Discovering an affair is one of the most painful shocks a marriage can face. The ground beneath you feels unstable; every memory gets reinterpreted through doubt. You might be […]
Gratitude Has a Powerful Effect on Your Marriage – Here Are 4 Ways to Cultivate It
Stay grateful—it’s good for your marriage. Hard to believe as it may be, learning to cultivate gratitude in your relationships and life has a powerful effect on people emotionally and physically. According to research, gratitude is scientifically linked to improved physical and mental health, an increased ability to handle adversity, and stronger healthier relationships. One 2015 study published […]
What is Financial Infidelity? 8 Signs to Look Out for (And What to Do About It)
It’s often said that conflict over money is one of the leading causes of divorce. And with nearly three-quarters of Americans experiencing financial worry right now, it’s reasonable to presume many marriages across the country are facing increasing strain and challenge. For some couples, money conflict can progress to a damaging situation known as financial infidelity. While financial infidelity doesn’t generally […]
ADHD in Marriage: What We Learned After 19 Years Together
We had a big realization after nearly two decades of marriage—Rivka has ADHD, and it was affecting our relationship in ways we hadn’t fully understood until now. For years, we thought our struggles were just about communication or personality differences. But uncovering how ADHD plays into marriage dynamics helped us see things with new compassion. […]
How The Marriage Restoration Project is Helping Couples Stay Safe at Home & Social Distancing
We’re Social Distancing Couples, we are here for you and while we’ve been always been working online with couples 1 on 1, we’ve made the decision to #stayathome and bring our famous group couples workshop to you online from the comfort of your home! We know it’s not easy at home and we are using […]
Rivka’s Quarantine Diary Day 1 | Keeping Kids on a Schedule & Meditation
March 16, 2020 Our quarantine officially started yesterday, on Monday, March 16, 2020. We had actually quarantined ourselves voluntarily starting the previous Thursday because it seemed that we were sick with various flu, allergies, and colds. So this isn’t really day 1 and it feels like we’ve already been quarantined for a week! Managing Kids’ […]
What Should We Focus on Most in Our Relationship? Why Friendship in Marriage Deserves a Bigger Role
Many couples ask: “What should we be focusing on most if we want our marriage to thrive?” Some assume it’s all about conflict resolution—and while resolving disagreements is certainly important, research shows it’s not the only skill that predicts long-term success1. One often overlooked element? Friendship in marriage. Relationship researcher Dr. John Gottman has found […]