All couples disagree. Even have arguments. But successful couples learn skills that get them through the arguments and disagreements and strengthen their marriage. It’s all about communication. We call them smart marriages. The good news is that these skills are learnable. Anyone can learn to be a better communicator and learn to strengthen their marriage [...]
If you live in the Philadelphia area and want marriage counseling then you could benefit from one-session counseling. There are primarily two different types of one-session marriage counseling: There’s a two-hour intensive Then there’s a half-day intensive Both types of one-session marriage counseling focuses on deep-seated issues within your relationship in a more direct way [...]
Sometimes the last thing you need is counseling. You might just need to know that someone cares or relates to your situation. You could just come to know that talking about marriage with your online friends is enough to satisfy your thirst for understanding. And you just might find that your situation isn’t unique at [...]
People who experience anxiety usually have symptoms day in and day out. Unlike stress, which tends to come and go depending on the situation, anxiety tends to stick around. Sometimes for long periods of time. And the person who is stressed out usually knows what has them on wit’s end. Not so the person suffering [...]
Yesterday we focused on the AAMFT, which offers assistance to marriage and family therapists. Today we’re going to discuss the American Counseling Association, or ACA. The ACA is a not-for-profit professional association and has resources for all counselors, be it anxiety counselors, marriage and family therapists or counselors who deal with various addictions. One thing [...]
Marriage therapists are in the business of helping others, but that doesn’t mean that sometimes they don’t need help themselves. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) is an organization whose mission is to support those who help others with their relationship issues. The AAMFT website is full of resources for the marriage [...]
One of the biggest obstacles to marriage counseling for many couples is that one partner wants to do it and the other doesn’t. You can’t force your partner to do it if she isn’t willing. Sometimes you would be better off seeking counseling on your own and working on your feelings about the relationship. Keep [...]
Pre marriage counseling could be a smart move in today’s busy world. So many marriages end in heart break for one or both parties and most of the time it is because of a lack of communication. We often enter a marriage with the wrong perspective on life, in fact, the word ‘love’ seems to [...]
Everyone likes to give advice. Your friends, family and even strangers are often full of free advice that you can take or leave. Of course, you can’t be rude to family and friends – not if you want to keep them. Still, relationships are difficult to maintain. Even without the advice. And while everyone likes [...]
If people find out that there is something wrong with your marriage, you will get a lot of unsolicited free advice. But did you know that solicited advice can also be free? Yes, you don’t need to spend a fortune to make your marriage right; you can seek free marriage advice. How? Read on. Check [...]
How soon do you give up in a relationship? It is important to give your relationship or marriage time. You may think that after a certain number of years there is no rescue from the bickering and the complaints. But you can still revive your marriage. Yes, it is never too late to make a [...]
Marriages are good or bad, happy or sad, so they say. But it is said that the difference between a good marriage and a bad marriage is determined by how smart it is. Yes, we have chosen to use the adjective ‘smart’ for a marriage. How is that possible? What is a smart marriage anyway? [...]
Every family has problems. While some get resolved on a day-to-day basis, others get to an extent that requires help from outside. I am talking about marriage and family therapy. Now, how do you find out if your family needs such therapy? We have come up with a few questions that will help you figure [...]
More often than not, it is in our control to keep our marriage from hitting rock-bottom. Yes, there are certain things that one should do and not do in a marriage. And they are actually pretty simple and quite expected. In today’s post, we will look at things that have the potential to ruin your [...]
We all get angry, and that’s perfectly normal. Only the spiritual gurus and yogis can probably claim not to get angry at all. The rest of us, mere mortals, are prone to anger. However, the thing that stops us from becoming demons is the fact that most of us can handle our anger. If you [...]
It’s not easy, but many marriages do survive infidelity. How? Well, it takes a lot of effort. And honestly, it is easier said than done. The most important thing you need to make such a marriage survive is willingness from both the partners. Now, the situation is such that the strayed partner feels guilty (or [...]
When you are not happy about the way your marriage is, do you talk about it? Or, do you keep everything to yourself? And if you do talk, who do you talk about it with? When a feeling becomes stifling you have got to find a vent. You have got to express yourself. However, you [...]
You know why we are afraid of visiting the counselor even when our relationship is in ruins. We think the counselor will judge us. We are afraid our weaknesses will be out in the open, in front of a stranger. While this sentiment is pretty normal, it is dangerous to live with it for too [...]
So, you have decided to get married? Congratulations! Have you given thought to life after the wedding? Happily ever-after, eh? Nice. But do you know how much effort goes into making a marriage happy? Pre-marital counseling can work as a great step towards a happily married life. Let me tell you why I think it [...]
If you feel you have problems in your marriage, who are you talking to about it? Are you hurling abuses at your spouse thinking you are communicating? Are you talking to your friends about it, giving them fodder for gossip? Communicating with your spouse Start with talking it out with your spouse. More often than [...]
How would you define anxiety? Well, simply put, it is the discomfort and worry that you have when you are anticipating something bad. Anxiety is supposed to be temporary, lasting for the time the anticipation lasts, but it has the power to stay with us for long. And it is we who give it its [...]
Work smarter on your marriage, not harder. If you want a stronger marriage there is only one way to get there. Talk to your spouse and engage him or her in an intimate pattern of communication over time. Learn to celebrate your differences and love each other for who you are. Enjoy a few activities [...]
One-session counseling intensives used to be quite popular. Now they are making their way back again. But what makes them such a great choice among counseling options for couples seeking help with their relationships? Here are some of the reasons one-session counseling sessions are popular and effective: Many couples lead busy lives. Today, many women [...]
Many couples report that after a few years of marriage they start to see things in their spouses that they never saw before. Negative attitudes and behavior can often put up a stumblingblock to growth within a marriage. If this is the case with you and your spouse then you may need a little marital [...]
Acute anxiety is a condition that is difficult to live with, but it is controllable. An anxiety therapist can help you control your negative feelings and overcome your fear of panic attacks. There is no reason to live in a constant state of fear and despair. Many men are afraid to seek treatment for their [...]
Lynn Linde, the president of the American Counseling Association, says counseling is “Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.” That’s an apt definition. Many people have the mistaken notion that counseling is just for troubled souls. It isn’t. Anyone can benefit [...]
Everyone jokes about juvenile behavior, but the truth is that adolescents everywhere act out once in a while. But what about extreme behavior? When should a parent seek help for her teenager’s unruly behavior? This is a difficult issue for many parents. It’s important to understand that adolescents are trying to grow into adulthood and [...]
There are many issues that family therapy is not a good idea to try to solve. However, there are many issues where family therapy is quite appropriate. If you are struggling with anger, for instance, that may not be something a family therapist can help with. You may have to seek anger counseling. Your victims [...]
If you saw the movie Anger Management with Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler then you probably remember the scene when the therapist (played by Nicholson) is sitting in the passenger’s seat of a vehicle being driven by Sandler during rush hour and Nicholson asks Sandler to sing a refrain of “I Feel Pretty”. The truth [...]
Lisa Kift says, “Most couples spend more time planning their weddings than their marriages!” That sounds like a true statement. Marriage is more than a ceremony in your backyard or at a church somewhere in the city. It’s a lifelong commitment with many hurdles. It used to be that whenever a couple were planning to [...]
