In my teen years, I struggled with self-worth. As I entered college, I had a chip on my shoulder, and I wanted to prove that I was desirable and lovable.

In the intricate dynamics of relationships, it's natural to experience a mix of emotions towards our partners. We deeply appreciate their presence in our lives, yet sometimes find ourselves wishing for small adjustments. But how can we navigate this terrain of giving feedback without causing tension or defensiveness?

In the realm of communication, the absence of agreement isn't necessarily indicative of poor communication. In fact, within relationships, some of the most crucial dialogues arise from points of disagreement or when our needs seem incompatible.

Many of us suffer from catastrophic thinking in part because, paradoxically, how safe we are. Thousands of years ago, we had to be on the lookout for predators that could quickly endanger our lives.

Marriage goals are the cornerstone of a healthy and fulfilling partnership. They encompass not only practical aspirations, such as buying a house or raising a family, but also the emotional and relational aspects of the union. From the promise of honesty to the way we treat each other on a daily basis, these goals shape the foundation of our marriage.

According to research, about 80% or more of New Year’s Resolutions fail. And yet, every year most of us repeat the process, hoping that we will accomplish this year what we couldn’t last year.

When feeling intense emotions, effective communication often becomes a daunting task. If the upset gets significant enough, we’ll very often end up in the conversation spiraling out of control or shutting down. How do we get ourselves out of these stuck places and orient to something better? There is a question we can ask ourselves to help.

When our partners broach challenging topics that make us feel uncomfortable or bad about ourselves, our default response may be to deflect and change the conversation. One of the most common strategies is what we call "The Debate," where the reflexive use of phrases like "Yeah, but..." to put the issue back on them.

When we start to learn good communication skills, and learn to avoid immediate advice or oversharing personal experiences, we’re often left confused about what we should do and wondering what tool to use next.