Forgiving is one way of letting go of your old baggage so that you can heal and move on with your life. It’s about giving yourself, your children, and perhaps even your partner or ex-partner, the kind of future you and they deserve – unhampered by hurt and recycled anger. It’s about choosing to live a life wherein others don’t have power over you and you’re not dominated by unresolved anger, bitterness, and resentment. But often forgiving your ex-spouse or… Read more
September 20, 2019
What If I’m Not Ready to Forgive My Ex?
September 20, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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September 14, 2019
5 Rituals to Help Your Relationship Thrive
September 14, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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Couples who have daily rituals of connection and physical contact have a stronger bond. Make your relationship a priority now and you will reap the benefits of a long-lasting union that will increase your mental, physical, and psychological well-being. That doesn’t mean you have to ignore your children or work. However, daily rituals of connection can give your relationship a boost and it will pay off big time! Here are five rituals to help your relationship flourish: Turn off… Read more
September 6, 2019
The Changing Dynamic of Marriage: Statistics for 2019
September 6, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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During a recent presentation at National Association for Relationship and Marriage Education Summit, Dr. Scott Stanley presented the latest statistical research on marriage, shedding light on the changing dynamics of divorce in younger generations. While we all know the hard to forget fact that 50% of all marriages end in divorce — and while those numbers justifiably cause concern among couples — it is also true that young couples are increasingly bucking that trend. Indeed, half of all marriages between… Read more
August 28, 2019
Are New Relationship Dynamics the Same as Past Broken Ones?
August 28, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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If you think that your new romance or second marriage will be nothing like your former one, think again. A new research study from the University of Alberta showed that over time, couples in new relationships had the same dynamics as past broken ones, after the glow of the honeymoon phase had faded. This eight-year study of 554 people in Germany showed that some relationship dynamics change when we find new partners, but couples are likely to recreate many of… Read more
August 22, 2019
How to Reverse the Demand-Withdraw Dynamic in Relationships
August 22, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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Many couples are stuck in an unfortunate vicious cycle where one partner become more distant as their partner steps up the intensity of his or her pursuits. Unfortunately, if this pattern isn’t reversed it can damage a relationship beyond repair and lead to breakup or divorce. Kyla, 34, put it like this: “The more I ask Conner to hug me and be more affectionate, the more he pulls away and goes into his shell. I love him and we’ve talked… Read more
August 16, 2019
Good News: Divorce Rates are Declining
August 16, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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But does this mean that the institution of marriage hasn’t become completely obsolete yet? Since I believe in marriage, I see the declining divorce rate as positive and believe it’s a good sign that many couples are dating for longer periods and waiting until they get older to marry. For instance, Marisa and Jack met in college at the age of 22 but waited until they had both settled into a job before they got engaged and married in their… Read more
August 9, 2019
5 Ways to Increase Intimacy and Happiness in Your Marriage
August 9, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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Spending periods of quality time doing shared activities alone with your spouse each week is the most important way to deepen and strengthen physical and emotional intimacy. In fact, the amount of time a couple spends alone and with each other, talking, or sharing activities together is a key factor in predicting their overall marital happiness, according to psychologist Eli J. Finkel. In the All-Or-Nothing Marriage, Finkel explains that there has been a 40% decline in the last three decades… Read more
August 2, 2019
4 Ways to Be More Transparent About Money with Your Partner
August 2, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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Despite the fact that money problems are the number one subjects couples argue about and a leading cause of divorce, there are few studies that address the issue of financial secrecy or financial infidelity. The reason why many people keep secrets about money is fear of being abandoned, shame, and fear of being vulnerable due to past betrayal by a parent or partner. Learning how to have productive, low-conflict discussions about money is essential to handling finances in a healthy… Read more
July 26, 2019
The Pro’s and Cons of Trial Separation
July 26, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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In a recent marriage.com article, the pros, cons and positive potential of trial separations in marriages in turmoil is explored. The traditional view of trial separations is that making the decision to create space, or “take time off,” in a marriage is the first of a number of steps on the road to divorce. But increasingly, the initially counterintuitive notion that couples consciously creating distance can actually save a relationship, is being explored. In her article, Kelli Hastings, LCSW delves… Read more
July 19, 2019
How to Know When It’s Time to Go … To Couples’ Counseling
July 19, 2019 By Terry Gaspard
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You’ve heard the timeworn — and so often true — cliche: marriage is work. No matter how strong a marriage or remarriage is, couples often encounter a common set of conflicts. Whether early in a new marriage, or after years together, these universal issues tend to revolve around communication, or a lack thereof. In a recent article for the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Adam Borland explains the five most prevalent marital problems and suggests that the solution is as universal as… Read more
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