Some challenges shake a relationship to its core. Addiction, chronic anger, emotional disengagement, mental health crises, or even contempt — this section addresses the make-or-break moments. We help you name the threat, understand its impact, and find a path forward that honors both self and partnership.
Living in a bad marriage is very costly…expensive to your health, your wealth, and your entire family. People get physically ill in bad relationships. Research shows that chronic relationship troubles increase the rate of heart…
You love them. They say they love you, too. But something’s not right. You’ve been together long enough to know this isn’t a casual fling. You’ve invested time, energy, vulnerability—and now you’re quietly waiting for…
How do I know if I am a passive aggressive (“Nice Guy”) husband? Iceberg Syndrome You talk about your intimate self (doubts, fears, insecurities, resentments) on a “need to know” basis. Why rub it in?…
by Dr. Doug Burford Editor’s Note: This long-form article by Dr. Doug Burford, a Christian minister and science-based couples therapist practicing in Kansas City, Missouri (Overland Park, Kansas) at Couples Therapy Inc., explores the painful…
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. Narcissistic…
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. Relationships…
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,…
Dr. Burford is a Christian minister who practices science-based couples therapy through Couples Therapy Inc. He works with all couples but specializes in couples wanting a biblical perspective. This post originally appeared on his blog. Addiction…
Today, we asked Dr. K what the difference is between narcissism and covert narcissism. Can either be helped with couples therapy? There has been a lot of discussion about narcissism and covert (or vulnerable) narcissism…
My husband gets angry if I disagree with him. He argues with me about every point I try to make and refuses to listen. I want a happy marriage and to stay calm. However, if…
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation. It occurs when one person attempts to make the other doubt their own perceptions, memories, and sanity. It is destructive behavior that undermines the partner’s confidence and can…
It started as a fairytale romance – your soulmate swept you off your feet with grand gestures, passionate kisses, and promises of a perfect future together. But slowly, the cracks began to show. Charming apologies…
Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that can occur in relationships, where one person uses manipulative tactics to undermine the other person’s perception, memory, or sanity. This type of behavior can be subtle and…
Antidepressants aren’t the only answer—especially when your relationship is part of the pain. Around 16% of people in the US experience depression at some point in their life cycle. About 7% of Americans at any…
You built a life together. You raised kids, managed chaos, endured loss, and celebrated milestones. And now… things feel strangely empty. You’re not fighting. But you’re not connecting, either. You’re coexisting in a shared quiet,…
You’ve realized something you didn’t want to name: you’re in an abusive relationship. Maybe the yelling doesn’t stop. Maybe it’s the silences that feel like punishment. Maybe they say they’re sorry—profusely—and promise it’ll never happen…
Have you ever heard of a wife who simply walks away from her marriage, leaving her husband completely shocked? This is called Walkaway Wife Syndrome, and it happens more often than you might think. In…
Emotional gridlock is a common but complex challenge that many couples face in their relationships. It occurs when partners become stuck in recurring conflicts about deeply personal issues central to their identities, values, or dreams….
Our teenage daughter just had a medical scare. Things seem to be ok for right now but we will need to have follow up tests for months before we know for sure that we are…
What is Alexithymia? Some people struggle when asked to explain or share their emotions. They lack words for their emotions. Their partners don’t feel emotionally intimate. They’ll describe having an emotionally unavailable partner. This personality…
Are you wondering if there’s hope for your marriage after separation? While studies show that up to 80% of separations end in divorce, there are proven paths to reconciliation for couples willing to take mindful…
Originally published October 22, 2019. Updated February 3, 2025 Have you ever felt so intensely attracted to someone that you couldn’t think about anything else? That overwhelming feeling might be limerence. While there’s no instant…
Loneliness affects us physically. We feel pain more acutely; it suppresses our immune system, disrupts our sleep, and makes us tired and irritable. For older adults, research has found that loneliness is far more dangerous than obesity….
Marriage should be a refuge—not a risk factor. And yet, some studies show it’s safer to be single than to be in a marriage where you feel unsupported. That might sound dramatic, but the research…
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