08
SepEmotional Manipulation: What It Looks Like and How to Handle It
EMOTIONAL MANIPULATION: WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO HANDLE IT Emotional manipulation is one type of emotional abuse where the perpetrator seeks to emotionally control, exploit, or influence the victim in a way that gives them an advantage. This behavior commonly takes place in abusive and toxic relationships, and it may be the only
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16
AugDoes Your Partner Know Their Behavior Is Abusive?
Does Your Partner Know Their Behavior Is Abusive? Even if they don’t, that doesn’t excuse their behavior. It is easy to look at someone who has bruises inflicted by their partners and surmise that they are being abused in their relationship. There is an obvious sign prompting friends, family, and therapists to ask, “Is everything
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07
JulTough Truths About Relationships
Tough Truths About Relationships Let’s talk about some tough truths when it comes to long-term relationships. Our culture presents a skewed set of expectations. We are told that “true” love is a feeling that should last. But love is work. There will be times when you’ll feel disconnected. You’ll wonder if there is someone better
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23
JunLiving With Unresolved Trauma
Living With Unresolved Trauma Living with unresolved trauma can result in a relationship that isn’t happy or healthy. You may think you have “dealt with it,” when what is really happening is that your behavior is being driven by what has happened to you. Trauma is unique to each and every one of us. None
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16
JunAre You Embarrassed to Tell Your Therapist Something?
Are You Embarrassed to Tell Your Therapist Something? If you’ve ever been embarrassed to tell your therapist something, let me remind you of something: chances are, I’ve heard it MANY times before. Here are 10 things that people have been afraid to tell me in therapy because they think it’s weird or embarrassing: 1. Anything
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09
JunGaslighting In My Relationship
Gaslighting In My Relationship Too often, clients come to therapy to find out if they are overreacting to their partner’s behavior. They tell me their partner says things like, “It’s all in your head.” “I never said that.” “It was just a joke.” When your partner uses harmful phrases or twists words against you to
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02
JunDid You Know Passive-Aggressive Behavior Goes Both Ways?
Did You Know Passive-Aggressive Behavior Goes Both Ways? It’s B-S Free Friday. Let’s talk about passive-aggressive behavior. Passive-aggressive behavior is when someone indirectly expressive negative feelings about a situation instead of just saying how they feel. Often, this is because they are fearful. They’re fearful of losing control, they are insecure, or they have low
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25
MayWhat Does ADHD Have to Do With My Relationship?
What Does ADHD Have to Do With My Relationship? If you just thought in your head, “ADHD has nothing to do with my relationship,” let me walk you through it: Do you have communication problems? Do you feel like a priority to your partner? Do you struggle with time management? Do you know what needs
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13
MayDo your Couples Therapy Homework!
Do your Couples Therapy Homework! I get it. Nobody thinks back to high school and says, “You know I really loved the homework part of that experience.” But guess what? Homework was intended to help solidify what you learned during school hours. It isn’t much different in therapy. Homework allows you to implement strategies you
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08
MayThe Importance of Paying Attention to your Relationship Priorities
The Importance of Paying Attention to your Relationship Priorities Think of your relationship as an empty vase. Now, let’s fill that vase with rocks, pebbles, and sand. I put together a demonstration so you can see exactly what this looks like. We’re first going to fill with rocks. The rocks are the foundation of a
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