Every relationship is built on something. In this section, we explore what creates long-term strength: shared values, friendship, trust, rituals of connection, and emotional repair. Whether you’re early in marriage or long into partnership, these insights help you revisit — and reinforce — what matters most.
In today’s fast-paced world, juggling the demands of work and marriage can be a daunting task. Many couples struggle to find the right balance, often leading to stress, burnout, and relationship strain. As a clinical…
Conflicts and disagreements are inevitable in relationships. However, when these disputes escalate, they can lead to a phenomenon called “flooding” or Diffuse Physiological Arousal (DPA). Flooding is a term coined by renowned relationship expert Dr….
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, but what exactly is trust, and how can we build and maintain it with our partners? As Gottman states, “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the…
Complaining is gender-linked behavior. John Gottman says women make 85% of complaints in a relationship, while men complain 15% in heterosexual relationships. When done well, it is the secret to better emotional connections (and I’ll…
Respect is a cornerstone of any healthy marriage. When partners treat each other with consideration, kindness, and appreciation, it lays the foundation for a strong and lasting relationship. But what does respect look like in…
Levels of differentiation Bowen describes two essential aspects of differentiation. On the intrapsychic level, differentiation involves distinguishing between emotional and intellectual processing and the degree of choice a person expresses in choosing how they will behave in a conflict-laden…
My partner doesn’t trust me to do most tasks, so she does them herself and then resents me for it…what can we do about this? There could be several reasons for this. Talking to her…
Written: May 29, 2018 Revised 2/12/2025 Marriage is a beautiful journey that brings together two individuals, each with their own unique personalities, habits, and quirks. While it can be a source of immense joy and fulfillment,…
My partner thinks that we have too much stuff, she even calls me a “hoarder.” I think she is overly controlling of our space-always wanting everything perfect. I want to have 15 framed photos even…
Consider these sweet phrases not merely as words but as remedies to mend emotional fractures and rebuild connections. In his book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, John Gottman, Ph. D., introduces the concept of…
Congratulations on your new family journey! The excitement of a wedding and setting up rooms for the kids slowly gives way to the complexities of blending families. Suddenly, you’re faced with a new set of…
Relationships often resemble gardens—requiring care, nurturing, and attention to thrive. Recently, as I’ve spent more time with those dear to me, I’ve reflected on the factors that genuinely nurture our bonds. These insights, almost like…
Have you ever felt like your partner just doesn’t “get” your emotions? Or struggled to understand why they react so differently to stressful situations? These disconnects may point to an underlying “meta-emotional mismatch”—a term coined…
Dr. Burford is a Christian minister practicing science-based couples therapy through Couples Therapy Inc. He works with all couples with a specialization in couples wanting a biblical perspective. This post originally appeared on his blog. This…
Managing finances is a critical aspect of any relationship, and the decision to pool resources or keep them separate can have a significant impact on a couple’s happiness and stability. In their study “Common Cents:…
Dr. Burford is a Christian minister practicing science-based couples therapy through Couples Therapy Inc. He works with all couples with a specialization on couples wanting a biblical perspective. This post originally appeared on his blog….
Revised 1/26/21 Imagine the possibility of falling in love with a complete stranger in just 45 minutes. Sounds improbable, right? Well, according to the intriguing research conducted by psychologists Arthur and Elaine Aron, it’s not…
I need to tell my husband something really awkward and kind of embarrassing, I am worried about how he will respond. I’m too embarrassed to even write the details here so can you just tell…
As Ken and Carla arrived at the airport for their long-awaited 10-day trip to Spain, tensions were already high. The couple had hit traffic on the way, and Ken implied that if they had left…
(when you don’t feel as if you deserve it…) Loving yourself is an ongoing challenging process for a lot of us. It involves nurturing a positive relationship with yourself, accepting who you are, and prioritizing…
Learning to fight well and repair relationship conflicts before they spiral out of control is a skill. It’s one of the goals of science-based couples therapy. Do you find your fights escalating out of control?…
In any relationship, accepting influence from one’s partner is crucial for fostering a healthy, collaborative dynamic built on mutual respect. However, research shows that a concerning two-thirds of married men struggle with accepting their wife’s…
What are the top 3 common relationship mistakes? What kills intimacy in a marriage? The answer might surprise you. When you fall in love, it’s easy to imagine that your healthy relationship will bring you…
End of content
End of content