In my practice, I see so many couples who say they are seeking help
for improving their communication skills. They work so hard adding to their
communication tool belt, but typically feel disappointed that their
relationships don’t seem to improve consistent with the number of communication
techniques they’ve acquired.
Well, that’s because there is so much more than at play than communication skills, per se.
For [...]

Thrive As A Couple or Suffer Alone As Individuals
Alright, so here’s a simple idea, with big implications.  By the way, this idea came to me by way of my friend and colleague, Dr Peter Pearson, co-founder along with Dr. Ellyn Bader, of the Couples Institute in Menlo Park, CA.
Alright, so here’s the deal:
You can thrive [...]

Expectations Don’t Work In Marriage
Jim Hutt, Ph.D.
What would you think if I told you there is no place in a healthy relationship for expectations? Well, that’s exactly what I’m telling you.
You may, or may not, have heard the adage that goes like this: an expectation is a resentment under construction. And here’s [...]

You’ve Just Learned About An Affair
Jim Hutt, Ph.D.
If the most difficult words to hear are “you’ve got cancer,” the next most jolting sentence might be “I’ve been having an affair.” Your head spins,  emotions may erupt, your emotional earth has essentially been forever shifted on its axis.  Dreams are shattered, the partner or spouse you [...]


Fatherless Children Due To Divorce
One of the saddest parts of working with families of divorce is the tragedy of fathers who have lost access to their children.  Failed access has severe consequences on both father and children.
In this article I will not address the many reasons for the lack of access, as that is an [...]