3 WORDS that will improve your MARRIAGE
Improve your Marriage I was recently asked to speak at a wedding. That’s right – the soon-to-be-married couple asked a professional couples counselor to give them some relationship advice during their ceremony. And there’s plenty of advice out there – you can google it! “Don’t go to bed angry.” “Continue to date each other.” “Don’t take each […]
Male Friendships
“I have friends…” and other half-truths men tell themselves Recently a friend called me unexpectedly. Him: “Bro, I’m having neck surgery tomorrow. Just thought you should know. I’m worried about my kids.” Me: “What? Why? Is everything ok?” Him: “Yeah. It’s ok. I’ve had some problems with my back…. It’ll probably be fine…. […]
Stuff I Love!
Family Therapy Resources My students will tell you that I’m a fan of information. I love real stories from real people about the struggles and victories experienced in life. Below is a list of content that has enhanced me as a person and as a professional counselor. Enjoy! Podcasts: *Each links to a good episode […]
Premarital Counseling – in the News!
Premarital Counseling… is it for everyone? Recently, celebrity couple Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell have been speaking publicly about their use of marriage counseling. In the May 2015 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, Bell says, “You do better in the gym with a trainer; you don’t figure out how to cook without reading a recipe,” […]
Parents… we’re driving ourselves crazy
Our parenting today is making us nuts! As parents we’re trying to do more than ever with and for our kids. We are busy shuttling kids to activities, preparing healthy meals, pouring over homework, entertaining kids with events, supervising play dates, and we’re working outside of the home more than ever. We’re driving ourselves crazy trying to parent perfectly while providing […]
Holiday Gifts… or burdens?
This post was collaboratively authored with financial planner (and friend) Erik Garcia. Visit his website to learn more. We’re family guys, gift givers, and holiday celebrants, but we’re both tired of seeing our clients struggle through the financial pressure of holiday over-spending. The (pressure) culture of Christmas gift-giving has for too many become overly […]
Single in New Orleans? You’re not alone…
Singles? Louisiana is first in something! A recent report listed New Orleans (58%) as having the largest percentage of single residents of any metro area in the US, and Louisiana (55.7%) as the most “single” state. Moreover, according to statisticians, for the first time in our history, “singles” make up the majority of the US population […]
5 Keys to Reducing Co-Parenting Conflict
Co-Parenting is hard… really hard. Co-Parenting = parents continuing to parent cooperatively together, from 2 different homes, after they have separated or divorced. Remaining effective parents after the marriage ends (or the romantic relationship dissolves) is really difficult and complicated. In my counseling experience I’ve watched many families be torn apart by the challenges of […]
Are we compatible?
Becoming Compatible I regularly hear the couples I counsel wonder if they and their partner are compatible. Soul-mates. They seem to suggest that if they’re compatible, the relationship may work, but if they’re not compatible, the relationship will fail. They seem to want me to analyze them individually to see if they “fit” together. Some couples […]
4 Skills of Financially Healthy Families – part 2
Family Finances: (part 2) By now, if you read part 1, you’re probably frenetically tracking your spending and budgeting like a banshee. And wow, now that you know where your money is going, it’s much easier to plan how you really want to spend it – and when you stick to the plan, you probably […]