Do you ever feel like your happiness depends completely on someone else's well-being or approval? This is a common sign of codependency. Codependency manifests in relationships when you heavily depend…
CategoryRelationships
What to Expect in Premarital Counseling
What is premarital counseling? Wondering what to expect in premarital counseling? Imagine stepping into marriage with a toolkit full of strategies to handle whatever life throws your way. That's what…
When Depression and Relationship Distress Intersect
Navigating emotional challenges: Depression and relationship strain When depression intersects with relationship distress, it creates a maze of emotional challenges that can seem insurmountable. Managing life with depression is tough,…
What is an Enmeshed Family?
What is an enmeshed family? Enmeshment is a complex family dynamic that transcends mere closeness, characterized by a lack of boundaries and blurred lines between family members’ identities. Salvador Minuchin,…
What is the Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy?
In a world filled with internet advice and quick solutions, the skills of empathetic listening are often under appreciated. This article explores the profound difference between being empathetic and sympathetic…
How to Be a Compassionate Communicator
“It was one of those horrible, out-of-control conversations that goes nowhere fast.” Her eyes filled with tears as she described her frustration. “I’m trying to tell James that I really…
Expanding Your Capacity for Conflict: Navigating Challenging Conversations and Relationships with Resilience
Encountering and understanding conflict Conflict is an inherent part of life that can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and disappointment. Disagreements about household chores, misunderstandings about deadlines with coworkers, or an argument…
6 Tips to Improve Your Relationships with Active Listening
Active listening skills are essential building blocks for strong and meaningful relationships. However, not everyone is naturally gifted with this skill. The good news is the art of active listening…
What is Gaslighting?
What is gaslighting? Gaslighting, named word of the year in 2022, is a serious issue in which one person manipulates another into questioning their own reality. The word “gaslight” originated…
What is Codependency?
Codependency is a relationship dynamic in which there is a taker and a giver. The taker’s needs and wants are prioritized over the giver’s; and in turn, the codependent person,…