We all know what habits are, patterns that we get into as to how we do things. They become routine, second nature, things that we can just “do” without giving them much thought. Some habits are beneficial while others can be annoying, sometimes even destructive. For example, if you are in the habit of leaving…
I just finished a session with a couple today that was frustrating for them and frustrating for me as well. Why? Because they are not all in. It won’t surprise you to know that I see couples who are having “issues.” All of them. This couple today was no exception. They have been separated for…
“Research shows that about 45 percent of youth in the U.S. now spend some time without a biological parent by late adolescence.” And for children from disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, the numbers are even higher. A sociologist from Princeton University states: “If we were asked to design a system for making sure that children’s basic needs…
I recently sat with a client as he expressed his frustration over the fact that his wife doesn’t listen to him. Oh, she was present in the room but she wasn’t genuinely engaging with what he was saying. This would lead to him getting angry and sarcastic, which certainly wasn’t productive. As a matter of…
While most of us think about the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) as days to look forward to, just as many often cringe when they think about what is in store for them. You see, not all family get-to-gathers always go well. You may even dread them. I have one client, who is an…
Have you ever been looking forward to a romantic evening with your spouse, when one of you inadvertently makes a comment that turns the rest of the night on its head? While you didn’t intend for things to devolve into a fight – they did anyway. We have probably all experienced this unraveling of an…
Ok, now that I have your attention – this is not really about voting . . . but it is about single issues. I am reminded by a couple that was in my office yesterday. They are stuck on a single issue. It doesn’t really matter what the issue is – it is the fact…
What if I could teach you in under 100 pages, steps that that could improve your most important relationships forever? Would you want it? On October 25th, my newest book, Relationship On Purpose: 8 Strategies Guaranteed to Improve Your Marriage or Significant Relationship, was released. I believe so strongly that these strategies can absolutely change…
I often get a variety of responses when I ask a question like this. Unfortunately, some may respond with, “I had dreams for my marriage when I was younger, but those are long gone.” Others might say, “I will deal with my dreams sometime in the future.” In talking with my financial advisor recently, he…
This is really true. No one calls me up to say, “Our marriage is terrific and we aren’t having any problems but we would like to come in and pay you money – just to visit.” I have never once received a call like that. As a matter of fact, I don’t usually hear from…