Communication is at the heart of all relationships, whether personal or professional. However, not all communication is effective. Often, we unintentionally create conflict or misunderstandings by blaming or criticizing others, which can trigger defensiveness. One powerful technique to communicate more constructively is using “I statements.” What are “I Statements”? “I statements” are a way of... Continue Reading →
Have you ever felt drained after a conversation, pressured into saying “yes” when you wanted to say “no,” or resentful because someone crossed a line? Then you might want to take a look at your boundaries. Boundaries are the guidelines that protect your well-being while helping you build healthier, more balanced connections. In this two-part... Continue Reading →
When I think about marriage, the first thing that comes to mind is a strong union that is maintained by love, connection, understanding and friendship. I am currently reading the book The Power of Two: Secrets to a Strong and Loving Marriage and I am learning a lot about how we communicate with our significant... Continue Reading →
With the exponential growth of technology in the past decade, relationships have transformed and expanded in ways that were previously impossible. There is new opportunity to add connection to your life, through relationships with people across the globe and apart of different cultures, because of the accessibility of communication through technology. This opportunity is beneficial... Continue Reading →
March was international Women’s Month. This is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women in history to the present day. International Women’s Day is on March eighth, and in 1980 President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of the 8th National Women’s Week. 7 years later congress passed a joint... Continue Reading →
Jealousy, a complex and often overwhelming emotion, has the power to poison relationships if left unchecked. While a certain degree of jealousy may be considered normal, it becomes detrimental when it consumes us and affects our behavior and trust in our partner. After working with couples throughout my internship as a counselor in addition to... Continue Reading →
Communication can be difficult at times, especially when we are upset about something. Using “I” statements may allow us to work through disagreements in a way that allows everyone to express their own opinion and feelings. The “I” statement forces us to take responsibility for what we are thinking and feeling and stops us from... Continue Reading →
Everyone makes mistakes in life, but that does not mean they are bad people. Sometimes we will meet people who are not good for us, but they aren't bad people. We have to remind ourselves that sometimes just because we love someone it does not make them good. For example, when we talk about family,... Continue Reading →
As we grow older, sometimes our circle gets smaller. Sometimes it's really not personal, life just happens and we have other priorities. We get to an age in which we begin to realize who we want to keep in our close circle. Therefore, we work to maintain and grow those friendships. Below I wrote some... Continue Reading →
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