Category: Couples

The Stages of Marriage/Relationship Counseling

Just minutes after the crash, the paramedics were using the jaws of life to carve Tom and Mary out of their mangled vehicle. The couple was rushed to the Central Hospital Emergency Room where a team of doctors and nurses frantically took over CPR, worked to stop the bleeding, stabilize vitals, and start IV fluids. … Continue reading “The Stages of Marriage/Relationship Counseling”

What to do When Your Husband Looks at Porn

Pornography is a multi-million dollar business that exploits people. It demeans who they are. This very premise should be enough to convince us that pornography is not healthy for anyone. However, viewing pornography has been normalized in our society. In our very sexualized culture we want to believe that this can be used for healthy … Continue reading “What to do When Your Husband Looks at Porn”

Being Intentional in Your Marriage

There was a sense of excitement in the room. Ten couples had signed up for a weekend Marriage Retreat and the first session was about to begin. Preparations had been in the process for months. Putting the schedule and sessions together, deciding on the menu, getting the word out to potential attendees and assembling a … Continue reading “Being Intentional in Your Marriage”

Maintaining Happily Ever After

It’s Cinderella’s fault. This idea of happily ever after. She meets her handsome prince, they sing, dance and then ride off into the sunset with the words “And they lived happily ever after” on the movie screen. Every little girl in that theater walks away dreaming of her Prince Charming. But what happened the next … Continue reading “Maintaining Happily Ever After”

Strength From Brokenness

When I was 5 years old my brother and I were stuck inside our home due to a huge rainstorm outside. We decided to play a game where we spun around in circles for 30 seconds and then race each other across the house. We were both really excited by our brilliant new game, so … Continue reading “Strength From Brokenness”

Fifty Shades of Confusion

So, there are these three books that were published two years ago and now the first movie in a series called Fifty Shades of Grey. You may have heard about them! Well, it’s taken the world by storm and women can’t seem to get enough of the story, the movie, the romance, the intrigue and … Continue reading “Fifty Shades of Confusion”

The Problem with Social Media

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. That may be true, but a tweet is worth…well, exactly 144 characters. You can use less, but no more. Text messages are limited to 160 characters. Facebook posts only get read if they contain no more than 5 sentences. E-mails can be as long … Continue reading “The Problem with Social Media”

Encouragement: A Vital Ingredient for Relationships

“Mom, I just can’t do it.” My daughter Anna Beth was struggling to finish her Algebra homework. Math wanted to be her nemesis but David and I were determined to get her the help she needed to feel successful. So, we hired a tutor. It was not cheap, but the results were worth any monetary … Continue reading “Encouragement: A Vital Ingredient for Relationships”

The Art of Apology

In working with couples one complaint I often hear from the husband is: “My wife keeps bringing up the same issues when we’re arguing. It’s as if she can’t forgive and forget and I’m tired of hearing the same complaints and stories of what I’ve done wrong.” I refer to this condition as a trip … Continue reading “The Art of Apology”

A Lesson (for Myself) in Marriage Counseling

A lot has been going on in my life—both good and bad. My client load has increased and counseling three years in a row gives me more joy than I ever thought possible in a job. Charis Counseling is a great place to work and the people here treat me well while I get to … Continue reading “A Lesson (for Myself) in Marriage Counseling”