Relationships
Every couple has a beginning—a moment, a spark, a shared laugh or glance that set everything in motion. Revisiting that story, the story of how you met, isn’t just a sentimental trip down memory lane. It’s a powerful way to reconnect. My husband Andy and I met 9 years ago Sunday. And do you know what […]
The Face Tells the Truth: How Contempt Can Quietly Kill a Relationship If you want to know how your partner really feels about your relationship, skip the phone check and check their face instead. According to researchers—including Drs. John and Julie Gottman, who can predict divorce with up to 93% accuracy—one of the most dangerous […]
Vulnerably Sharing the “Negative” Stuff Can Actually Bring You Closer I’ll admit it — the clickbait got me. The headline read something like: “Expressing Negativity Improves Romantic Relationships.” And I rolled my eyes at first because, as a therapist, I spend a good chunk of time helping couples remove negativity from their relationships — things […]
The 6-Second Kiss That Can Transform Your Relationship Here’s one of the simplest things you can do today to improve your relationship: kiss your partner… for six full seconds. That’s it. Just six seconds. Why six? Because that’s about how long it takes for your brain to start releasing oxytocin—the “bonding hormone” that helps us […]
Having a cat or dog might boost your mood as much as getting married. That’s what new research from economists suggests. The study found that pet owners were happier by 3 to 4 points on a 1-to-7 scale of life satisfaction. Using a special method, the researchers worked out that the mental boost from owning […]
A lot of relationship challenges I help people work through revolves around their fear of confrontation or as I sometimes call it, courageous communication. Here’s the truth: avoiding confrontation often does more damage than facing it head-on. Real connection—genuine, trusting, respectful connection—requires honesty, and that sometimes means speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable. When we […]
Agreements Over Expectations: A Healthier Way to Love In relationships, it’s easy to fall into the trap of unspoken expectations. You expect your partner to call when they’re running late, to know what you want without saying it, or to just “get” how you feel. But here’s the truth: expectations can silently build resentment, while […]
Take a moment and think about the top complaint you have about your relationship. Got one in mind? Great. Now, let’s work on flipping the script to make it constructive. Complaints Reveal Emotional Hunger More often than not, when you find yourself repeatedly frustrated by something your partner does (or doesn’t do), it’s not just […]
Men, This One’s for You: The Power of Kindness and ComplimentsThis morning, a female college walked into the studio and said, “I agree, Sean!” She was referring to a recent poll that found the top motivator for women to commit infidelity: a lack of kindness or compliments. Guys, let that sink in. It’s not money, […]
A Simple Habit for a Better Day: The Power of Planning Ahead As we get older, life becomes a delicate balance of responsibilities, personal goals, and the need for some time just for ourselves. If you’re like me, waking up to a busy day can feel overwhelming at times. But what if I told you […]
Couples in happy and healthy relationships always express appreciation for one another. I have couples I work with express 3 verbal appreciations a day. This can be transformative in many ways… The first of which is it can change the way you experience the relationship. We are hard wired to scan our environment for threats […]
Frugal Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Home Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking to celebrate your love without breaking the bank, here are a few creative and budget-friendly ideas to make the day special from the comfort of your own home. 1. DIY Wine Tasting ExperienceWhy […]