Is it possible to rebuild trust after your partner has been unfaithful? The loss of the relationship you envisioned can cause intense rage, jealousy, and sadness, and also raises many questions. Should you stay? Will things ever be the same?
How to Save Your Relationship
It was Mike Martin’s affair that finally led him and his wife, Katie, to my office for couples counseling. But the betrayal was a symptom of a deeper problem in their 19-year marriage. “He felt like he wasn’t getting his emotional needs
How to Talk to your Child(ren) about Divorce
Children at varied developmental levels naturally have a different understanding of divorce, the reasons for it, and what the future will bring. Parents will therefore need to tailor discussions according to their children’s maturity. Parents of young children should maintain
5 Simple Ways to Strengthen the Friendship in Your Marriage
“True friends are never apart; maybe in distance, but never in heart.” This quote rings true for couples. We all want to know the secret to making love last, but what if it was as simple as just being your
Breaking the Pursue-Withdraw Pattern
The pursue-withdraw pattern is an extremely common cause of divorce. If left unresolved, it will continue into a second marriage and subsequent intimate relationships. As Dr. Gottman explains in Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, “This classical marital impasse is all too
How Family Communication Styles Can Impact the Marriage Process
By Munira Ezzeldine and Issra Killawi It is important for individuals and parents to communicate with each other about their expectations for courtship and who is considered an ideal partner. This can only occur through honest conversations and active listening.
Why Do We Get Jealous in Relationships?
In an interview, John Gottman was once asked what to do about “insatiable jealousy” in relationships. His response hit on something really profound for me. “I believe that every person has areas of enduring vulnerability. For a marriage to succeed, these
The Domestic Violence Cycle (infographic)
Do you think you’ve been a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who has? This IRUSA infographic shows some of the signs and stats related to domestic violence. For more information and resources, visit irusa.org/saynotodv
Validating Children in Stepfamilies
How to tell kids about divorce: An age-by-age guide
Two thoughtful parents once sat their preschooler down to tell him about their upcoming divorce. Carefully and gently, they told him that Mommy and Daddy were going to stop living together and would now live in different houses, but he