Summer can be a joyful time. The pool is open, the days are long, and the sunshine makes it easier to spend time outside and soak up the season. But summer can also bring a quiet kind of discomfort. It can shine a light on what feels missing. I often hear a version of this … Read more
If you’ve been following along in this series, you already understand how Gottman’s Four Horsemen—criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling—show up in adult relationships and how damaging they can be over time. But there’s an important piece many couples overlook: these patterns didn’t appear out of nowhere. In most cases, the way you handle conflict today … Read more
Discovering that your parent has been taken advantage of—especially in a romance scam—can feel like a punch to the gut. You might feel angry, helpless, embarrassed, or even betrayed. And if your parent doesn’t see the scam for what it is, the frustration can compound into a painful emotional storm. Unfortunately, scams targeting older adults … Read more
Conflict is a natural part of any close relationship. However, how couples navigate these conflicts often determines the health and longevity of their bond. Dr. John Gottman, a leading researcher and therapist in the field of relationships, identified four particularly destructive communication patterns that predict relationship breakdown with startling accuracy. He named these the “Four … Read more
Every relationship faces challenges, but how couples handle conflict can determine whether their bond grows stronger or begins to unravel. Dr. John Gottman, a renowned relationship researcher, identified four destructive communication behaviors he calls the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” These behaviors—Criticism, Defensiveness, Contempt, and Stonewalling—are powerful predictors of relationship breakdown when left unchecked. What … Read more
You’ve said yes. Or maybe you’re thinking about saying yes.You’re planning a wedding—or maybe just planning a life together. You love each other. You communicate pretty well. You’ve had a few fights, sure, but nothing alarming. You want to go into marriage with intention—and someone mentioned pre-marital therapy. You’re intrigued. But if you’re honest… you’re … Read more
Exploring Boundaries, Healing, and What’s Possible for Your Emotional Wellbeing Understanding Situationships: The Gray Zone of Modern Dating If you’ve found yourself in a situationship, you’re not alone. Situationships–those “more than friends, less than a relationship” connections–are increasingly common in today’s dating landscape, especially among young adults and busy professionals in places like Ballwin, Kirkwood, … Read more
Friendship breakups–those painful moments when a close connection fades or ends–are often overlooked in conversations about emotional well-being. Yet, these losses can be just as impactful as romantic breakups, stirring up a complex mix of emotions and mental health challenges. If you’ve ever experienced the sudden silence of a once-close friend or felt the sting … Read more
Apathy. It is probably one of the most concerning feelings for a relationship. When you get to the point of apathy in a marriage or relationship, it likely means that things are so bad that you’ve completely checked out. Right? Here is what apathy in a relationship sounds like: “I just don’t care anymore.” “It … Read more
It’s Valentine’s Day and…you just had a breakup. The universe’s sense of humor is not humorous to you. You haven’t even usually cared about Valentine’s Day–both in your single eras and your relationship eras–but V-Day in the breakup era hits differently. You may be feeling deeply overwhelmed, or you may be feeling pretty numb. You … Read more