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.
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…
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 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…
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…
As shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures settle in, many people experience the “winter blues” – a common seasonal mood shift that can profoundly affect relationships. While up to 20% of Americans deal with some…
Knowing how to support your partner in struggles can be difficult. Through couples therapy, depression and anxiety can be faced as a team. Here are some ways that you can help support your partner who…
My husband doesn’t understand me or listen to me at all. He’s constantly making assumptions about what I am saying that are way off and then that leads to fighting…I’m exhausted trying to get him…
by Dr. Doug Burford Six Toxic Patterns Dr. John Gottman’s four decades of research on couples have given us language for the typical patterns that divide couples. Identifying and naming these destructive patterns helps couples…
I know a little bit about ADHD and relationships. My husband and I have been managing my ADHD for years. “Do not talk to me!” I lovingly yell at my husband as I am about…
I don’t actually know your husband, so I don’t know what is going on with him, whether this is a habit he’s picked up lately, or he’s always been this way around smaller decisions. The…
My husband calls me names and swears at me. I’ve told him I consider him verbally abusive when he does it and have asked him to stop. It never becomes physical abuse, but it hurts…
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