When Clients Make Counselors Cry
The traditional view of a therapy is one in which the client struggles to make a deep emotional breakthrough while the therapist remains professional, detached, emotionless. If that’s good therapy, then...
Affair Confessions: What can you believe?
Andy sits at one end of the counseling couch, downcast, head in his hands, elbows on his knees. His gaze finally lifts from the space between his feet to settle...
Regaining Balance After Life Knocks You Down
Living a perfectly “balanced life” sounds wonderful. Who wouldn’t want to tip-toe through life in a state of blissful harmony? But despite our best efforts to maintain equilibrium, life has...
A Parent’s Best Gift
As parents, we spend great time and effort trying to come up the right gift for our child during times of special celebration. Finding one that will provide both immediate...
Holidays with Families: Festive or Frustrating?
This year, both sets of in-laws are visiting our home for the holidays. It will be an occasion for celebration and good cheer, unless the conversation turns to the recent...
Can Affairs Save Marriages?
I seem to be seeing more-than-the-usual number of articles or books promoting the idea that an affair might be an effective cure for a disappointing marriage. These writers suggest it...
Why Some People Change, Others Don’t
I’m going to piggy-back off of Julia’s recent article in which she wrote about “striving to be the best version of you.” Reading it led me to think of the...
Stuck in an Affair
John is stuck between his loyalty to his wife and his love for another woman. For the past few weeks, he’s been vacillating between them, hoping for a clear indication...
When You’d Rather Punish Than Pardon
Think about a time when you were deeply hurt by someone you loved. At the moment you first became aware of the offense, what was your response? Were you able...
Selfish Apologies: Saying “I’m sorry” for your relief, not theirs
We accept the belief that forgiveness is a necessary component of a healthy, satisfying relationship. But if that's true, why don't apologies always work? Why are offended people still unsatisfied...