Ever wondered about couples counseling?  Just exactly who goes to it and why?  Or, maybe you’ve been in couples/marital counseling/therapy for a while, and it just isn’t getting you anywhere, or at least it doesn’t seem so.   Well, Dr. Goulston, one the Psychology Today bloggers, has something to say to say about this.  Check […]

Change your Thinking- Improve Conflict Management If you really want to improve your communication skills, particularly related to conflict management, it’s crucial to begin with changing your thinking.  For the moment, forget about finding new skills, getting new tools.  Start with changing your thinking. New thinking helps create new and effective patterns of conflict management, […]

Communication: Competitive  vs Cooperative We are taught from the earliest of ages that good communication is imperative.  In both subtle,  and direct ways, we are taught to be competitive when we communicate.  Simultaneously, we are told to be cooperative.  What an impossible task–to be cooperative and competitive at the same time. The conundrum we are […]

I want your input!  Why?  Because what you want matters to me. Tell me what aspect of managing conflict, managing your relationship, or any other aspect of your relationship you would like to see become part of my new program.  The name of that program? RE-BOOTING YOUR RELATIONSHIP 2.0! This extensive program is nearing completion, and […]

What “We Don’t Communicate” Really Means Part I This is the first of a multi-part series spotlighting some of the more common and complex,  hard to break communication patterns most couples encounter at one time or another as they manage conflict. After thirty years in practice,  I notice the two most frequently made opening comments […]