Relationships

Co-Parenting Therapy: How to Strengthen Family Bonds After Divorce or Separation

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Co-Parenting Therapy How to Strengthen Family Bonds After Divorce or Separation

Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding and challenging roles. When two individuals share the responsibility of raising a child, the dynamics of their relationship, whether they are together or separated, impact the emotional well-being of their children. Co-parenting therapy provides essential tools to navigate parenting together, fostering stability and collaboration no matter the relationship … Read more

How to Address Relationship Issues and Build Emotional Safety

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Blog post cover with text "How to Address Relationship Issues and Build Emotional Safety" with a St. Louis area couples therapist.

Relationships thrive on emotional security, trust, and open communication. Yet even the strongest couples face moments of tension, unspoken concerns, or recurring disagreements. These challenges often stem from deeper, unresolved issues—patterns that, if left unchecked, can further harm the foundation of a relationship. Addressing these underlying problems with intention and care creates stronger relationships and … Read more

Premarital Counseling Isn’t Just for Engagements—It’s for Anyone Choosing Commitment

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Premarital Counesling Isn’t Just for Engagements—It’s for Anyone Choosing Commitment

There’s a quiet misconception floating around: That premarital counseling is only for couples who are officially engaged. You know—the ones with the ring, the date, the Pinterest board. #engagementera But here’s the truth:  You don’t need to be wedding planning to benefit from premarital counseling.In fact, you don’t need to be planning a wedding at … Read more

I Choose You: Sex When Desire Isn’t Equal

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Couple embracing with text "I Choose You Sex When Desire Isn't Equal" from a Couples Therapist in West County, MO. Get help for mismatched desire from a St. Charles, MO marriage counselor.

Sexual desire in long-term relationships often fluctuates and sometimes, it feels like you and your partner are simply not on the same page. One of you may want sex more frequently while the other’s interest wanes. This mismatch can create tension, confusion, and even feelings of rejection or guilt. But desire discrepancy doesn’t have to … Read more

Can You Be Friends After a Situationship?

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Two people standing next to each other at a railing in the city with text "Can You Be Friends After a Situationship" in St. Louis, MO. Talk with a Ballwin therapist about how to deal with a breakup in the St. Charles County area.

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

Compulsive Spending: The Individual and Relationship Costs

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Woman looking into her wallet with text overlay "Compulsive Spending The Individual and Relationship Costs". Couples therapy and marriage counseling in Ballwin, MO and Lake St. Louis, MO.

Compulsive spending, often referred to as compulsive buying disorder or shopping addiction, is a complex behavioral issue that can deeply affect not only the individual but also their closest relationships-especially marriage. When a loved one struggles with uncontrollable urges to spend, the consequences ripple through financial stability, emotional trust, and overall relational health. This blog … Read more

Why Friendship Breakups Matter: Exploring the Lasting Effects on Mental Health

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Women looking upset with text "Why Friendship Breakups Matter Exploring the Lasting Effects on Mental Health" with tips from a St. Louis, MO area therapist.

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

“They Didn’t Cheat, But…”: Impact of Emotional Infidelity

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Man with head against the wall, woman looking upset. Text "They Didn't Cheat, But... Impact of Emotional Infidelity" blog post by STL couples therapists in Ballwin, MO and Wentzville, MO. Get help for betrayal trauma and infidelity here.

As therapists specializing in relationship issues and betrayal trauma, we often encounter clients grappling with a form of infidelity that doesn’t involve physical cheating but can be just as devastating: emotional infidelity. This type of betrayal, while sometimes less tangible, can leave deep scars and shatter trust in ways that are just as profound as … Read more

Navigating the Holidays in the Face of Betrayal Trauma

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Group of family members around a table over the holidays with text "Navigating the Holidays in the Face of Betrayal Trauma" from a Ballwin, MO therapist

The holiday season can be a challenging time for many, but for those grappling with betrayal trauma, it can feel particularly overwhelming. If you’re facing the aftermath of infidelity, sex addiction, or porn addiction in your relationship, know that you’re not alone. As a trainee of Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialist (APSATS), … Read more