learning from experience
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“The Couch” Blog
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
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.
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
Axioms of Relationships – part 3
Wash, Rinse, Repeat In relationships, we often repeat the same patterns of interaction, over and over, irregardless of whether the patterns bring us satisfaction or
Axioms of Relationships – part 2
Axiom #2: It’s a Trio, not a Duet Picture this: you’re attending your friend’s wedding ceremony. The officiant pronounces the two love birds wed, the
Axioms of Relationships – part 1
Everyone’s seeking satisfying relationships. Spouses, parents, and co-workers all want the same thing – satisfaction. I have spent a great deal of time and energy