In any healthy and fulfilling relationship, communication is key. While it's natural to want to solve problems and offer solutions when your spouse is sharing their concerns, sometimes what they truly need is a listening ear. By cultivating the skill of empathetic listening, you can create a deeper connection, foster trust, and strengthen your bond.

As the first anniversary draws near, memories may come flooding back, both happy and painful. This time can be an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in healing and how the grief journey has shaped us as individuals.

When one partner feels emotionally distant, fostering effective communication can become a significant challenge. It is important to approach this issue with empathy and understanding and avoid blame to better foster an environment that encourages open dialogue. In this blog post, I will explore practical strategies for communicating with an emotionally distant partner without resorting to blame.

Experiencing the death of a pet can be a heartbreaking experience, as they hold such a special place in our hearts and families. In this blog post, I’ll share some valuable insights and suggestions on how to offer comfort to someone mourning the death of their beloved companion.

In any relationship, it's common for couples to have their differences. These differences can manifest in various ways, including conflicting interests, communication styles, or even personal habits. While it's essential for couples to support each other's growth, it is equally important to maintain individuality and respect. In my work as a couples therapist in Seattle, I have found the following strategies very helpful for navigating such situations when you feel your spouse wants to "fix" you.

When grieving the loss of a loved one who chose death with dignity, acknowledging and validating your emotions is important. You may experience a mix of feelings, including sadness, anger, relief, guilt, and confusion. Remember that these emotions are normal and part of the grieving process.

One of the fundamental aspects of a strong and healthy relationship is mutual understanding. Being able to comprehend and empathize with one another is essential towards building a deep connection. In this blog post, I will explore some practical steps you can take to bridge the gap when your spouse doesn't understand you.

 One of the reasons why grieving in the spring can be difficult is that the world around us is coming to life. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding, and the air is filled with the sounds of birds and bees seeking nectar. While this may bring joy, it can also be a painful reminder of the people who are no longer with us. It can feel like the world is moving on without them, and it can be hard to find comfort in the beauty of nature when they are not here to experience it with us.

Planning on taking a road trip this summer with your significant other? The time together can be a fun and exciting adventure. However, it can also be stressful at times, especially when spending long hours together in a confined space. Here are some tips I suggest for how you and your partner can better get along on a road trip:

Couples therapy aims to help couples identify and resolve their conflicts. In my therapy practice, couples can learn effective communication skills, build stronger emotional connections, and gain a better understanding of each other’s needs and desires.

Breakups can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences we may go through in life. Whether it's a long-term relationship, a marriage, or even a short-term romance, ending a romantic relationship can bring a profound sense of grief and loss. Grieving the loss of a romantic relationship is a complex and individual experience that affects people in different ways. In this blog post, I will explore the nature of grief and offer some help for how to cope with the pain and challenges of a breakup.

For couples therapy to be successful towards achieving healthy outcomes, the couple's own self-reflection is an essential component of success couples. In this blog, I will explore why self-reflection in couples therapy is beneficial for achieving a healthier and happier relationship.

A cornerstone of grief therapy teaches that being with a person in grief requires active listening, patience, and flexibility. Offering your presence, acknowledging their pain, helping with practical tasks, encouraging self-care, and following up are all important ways to support someone during this difficult time.

A marriage and family therapist friend shared, “Always ask yourself before you speak, is this kind, is this true and is this necessary.” Sounding first like a motto, with some deeper reflection this one-line advice is very useful for couples therapy.

Everyone grieves differently. Your experiences of grief and your path forward is as unique as you are. One of the best practices you can do is simply to give yourself the self-compassion that it is okay to feel what you feel. In the first year of grieving, as everything seems so especially hard, please know that you still have an ability to adapt and change.

Nobody experiences grief the same way. We go through the stages of grief differently and never in the same manner as someone else. Grief can come from any loss, not just the death of a loved one. You can grieve for a job loss, moving, or a loss of a pet.

It's inevitable that, at some point, there will be conflict in your relationship. It doesn't mean that you don't have a good relationship with your partner, though. Conflict, or arguing, is just a natural part of life, not only with our romantic partners but in other relationships, as well.