Most couples have a fight they know too well. The topic changes - money, housework, plans, the kids - but underneath, it always seems to land in the same place. One person feels unheard and pushes harder. The other feels overwhelmed and pulls back. Nothing gets resolved, and both partners...
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Avoiding Relationship Stress this Holiday Season
With the holiday season quickly approaching, many couples find this time of year particularly stressful. A recent Facebook study reported that most breakups occur two weeks before Christmas [1], and accordingly, dating site activity begins to spike from Christmas Day. So why at a time when we are supposed to be relaxing and enjoying ourselves… Continue reading Avoiding Relationship Stress this Holiday Season
Give your relationship a check-up this Valentine’s Day.
The personal expectations associated with Valentine’s Day can put a lot of additional pressure on couples who are already struggling with their relationship. Instead of dreading the 14th, why not use it as an opportunity to make some positive changes and get your relationship back on track. Why Seek Couples Counselling? Most of us maintain… Continue reading Give your relationship a check-up this Valentine’s Day.
Emotionally Focused Therapy
For our final blog entry in the series on couples counselling approaches we’ll be examining Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). This type of therapy is based on theories of adult attachment and bonding. It aims to increase security, closeness and connection in intimate relationships. History Developed in Canada during the 1980’s by Psychologist Dr. Sue… Continue reading Emotionally Focused Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Families are complex, dynamic, interdependent systems. Each member cannot be fully understood in isolation because the family is an interconnected emotional unit. This is the underlying premise behind Family Systems Therapy. In this blog entry we will continue to explore the different types of methodologies used by relationship counsellors, by focusing on Family Systems Therapy.… Continue reading Family Systems Therapy
The Gottman Approach
Not all practitioners use the same methods in their approach to therapy. When choosing a couples counsellor, it can be useful to understand the different types of methods that exist. All approaches can be effective, however, one may be more appealing or more suitable for you and your partner, depending on your situation. With that… Continue reading The Gottman Approach
Good communication isn’t easy
Communication issues are one of the most common problems faced by couples. It’s no surprise that the inability to converse effectively with your partner leads to an unhappy relationship, but why is it so hard? We talk to people everyday, be it at work, or at dinner with friends, even with our local grocer, so… Continue reading Good communication isn’t easy
Sustaining Desire
“I want to be your fantasy; Maybe you could be mine” Prince, Kiss 1986 Sustaining desire is easier said than done. The sense of mystery and excitement that we felt at the beginning of our relationship can be hard to hold on to. Often, what we want is what we feel like we used… Continue reading Sustaining Desire
What is the Single Most Important Factor in Your Relationship?
What is the single most important factor in a good relationship? A myriad of things come to mind – a deep friendship, respect for each other, a good sex life, honed communication skills. Undoubtedly, all these factors are important if not essential bases for a strong and successful relationship. But perhaps even more important than… Continue reading What is the Single Most Important Factor in Your Relationship?
Obstacles Which Get in the Way of a Healthy Sex Life
According to the global Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey 2007/2008, only 38% of us are satisfied with the amount of sex we are having. For most of the others, our relationship satisfaction will likely feel compromised by a limited sex life. So if so many of us would prefer to have more sex with our partners,… Continue reading Obstacles Which Get in the Way of a Healthy Sex Life
The Dilemma of Sexual Satisfaction
Sex before Intimacy or Intimacy before Sex Despite strong feelings of sexual desire at the commencement of a relationship, these feelings tend to wane as the relationship goes on. As we settle in to our relationship, we become more familiar with our partners – they lose some of their mystique and with it, their power… Continue reading The Dilemma of Sexual Satisfaction