I’m an A/C addict… and other Hurricane Reflections
Last week New Orleans endured Hurricane Isaac. For most of us it meant some wind and rain, several days of power outages, and lots of scrambling around our neighborhood and town to find ice, food, gas, batteries, and other survival supplies. It meant listening to WWL to find out what roads were closed, who was […]
Book Review: ScreamFree Parenting
When my youngest son was a toddler, he flushed his toothbrush down the toilet, stopping it up for days and requiring two plumber visits. Frustrating! My son didn’t seem to think there was a problem, except now he had to get a new tooth brush. When I tell this story, most people laugh and tell […]
Support the Bride… and the Groom
I spent the weekend at a Bridal Expo meeting brides-to-be, their friends, their moms, and a few to-be-husbands. First of all, it was great to meet so many people who are so excited about being in a serious, loving, committed relationship! Another thing of note was just how many of the brides had an entourage […]
Podcast: Thinking of getting married? Good!
Maybe it’s just that time of year, but I’ve been thinking a lot about premarital counseling lately. In fact, next weekend I’m going to participate in my first bridal expo to showcase the “Building Us” program that combines 6 premartial counseling sessions with 4 booster sessions to assist the newly married couple during their first year […]
Podcast: so She’s dragging you to Counseling…
It seems that some men are forced into counseling I see it sometimes in my office – that look of dread that says “I’d rather be anywhere but here.” A couple sitting on the couch; she’s eager to tell me everything, he’s squirming hoping to avoid talking. If this sounds familiar or if you’re being […]
Building Us – a Revolution in Pre-Marital Counseling
Premarital Counseling that helps you through your first year of marriage… Pre-Marital Counseling (PMC) is the norm these days, particularly for 1st marriages. PMC often involves a weekend retreat with a minister or clergy, or several counseling sessions with a therapist or pastor. Couples who complete this process often feel that they are just scratching the surface […]
Till death do us part? Reflections on Premarital Counseling
As a relationship therapist I often work with couples before they get married. Pre-marital counseling has become a fairly standard practice, if not a requirement, for many couples seeking to be married. It’s a chance for the new couple to identify potential problems before the problems take root; a chance for the couple to recognize upcoming hurdles and clarify spousal expectations. It’s a chance for the couple to begin planning some parts of the marriage before they actually live it.
In this post and the following, I’ll describe some of the issues that I find critical to discuss in premarital counseling. Enjoy!
Axioms of Relationships – part 6
This will be the last Axiom post for a bit, as I move on to other relationship topics – like parenting, communication, book reviews, etc. But for now… Axiom 6 – Change is Required Relationships are work. They take effort and courage. And just when the parts of the relationship, be it spouses, or parents […]
Axioms of Relationship – part 5
A few nights ago I was reading Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities to my kids. We paused for a few moments to discuss the implications of that famous statement “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Relationships truly are the best and worst of times. Your greatest joy and your deepest pain will happen in, and because of, your relationships. The highest highs and the lowest lows are firmly rooted in your relationships.
Axioms of Relationships – part 4
All or None Picture your own relationship. What could happen in that relationship that would be a deal breaker? What trauma(s) would cause your relationship to crumble? Truth is, the answer is different for everyone. Said differently, there are no set of unequivocal relationship deal breakers. That’s been my professional experience. I’ve personally witnessed relationships […]