Let’s Talk Transitions
Life is characterized by transitions. They're unavoidable. They're uncomfortable. And they feel completely unique and isolating when they happen, but there's actually some order to the chaos.
Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling, 101
We want people to know what they expect when they come into The Counseling Hub for relationship counseling. So, we figured we could pen this post in a matter of minutes and clear the air.
What’s Wrong With Me?! Five Question to Ask Yourself...
This is a blog post about those days or times where you feel way off from your normal self. Maybe you're slightly more irritable, or maybe you're just less satisfied overall, or maybe you find yourself wishing it was 8 pm so you could have that beer, or maybe you start to question all of your life choices that ever got you to this place you're in (not least of which includes work, relationship, kids, and location).
Existential Drift...
I don’t even know if that's a term or not, but it makes sense in my head. Here’s what I meant by existential drift–it’s that moment in time when you’re thinking about the meaning of life, or why you’re here, or what’s your purpose, or what’s it all mean, and then you shift from curiosity and awe into despair, angst, and terror.
You Know What To Do, But Do You DO It?
Here’s the scenario. I’m in session with a couple and we start an intervention that requires stating things from a personal perspective for one person and listening and summarizing for the other (without giving their interpretation or jumping into why). Easy peasy, right? WRONG.
Own Your ‘Stuff’
This isn’t a fun topic for people, although I would argue it’s one of the most necessary things that people should do. Personally, I love this topic. I love seeing people self reflect in such a way that they can honestly own whatever it is that they’re doing in a given situation. I also personally love this topic–I’d rather know what my stuff is then have it metaphorically slap me in the face later on to the point that I feel completely blindsided.
Conflict Avoidance by Listening (Easy as Pie)
You know the song and dance... Partner one says, “I’m upset about this thing that happened.” Partner two says, “I didn’t do anything wrong!” Partner one says, “You did xyz!” Partner two says, “That’s only because you did abc!” And then the two careen into a fight that has no real beginning and no real end.
Three Themes in Couples Therapy
When I do couples therapy, there are three big themes that I’m consistently keeping in mind. Not only do these help with the direction of where therapy needs to go, but they also give us the framework for looking at what is going right within the relationship.