

Three Steps to Better Communication
"In my years of working with couples, families, and their kids, I have learned that most of us have common patterns that chip away at o


Effective Communication (Even in Conflict)
"By far, the number one goal most people come to therapy for is to communicate better (followed closely by decreasing conflict)... If y


Communication and Teamwork as Parenting Partners
How do you keep your sanity as a parenting couple? Communication, checking in with each other, and practicing gratitude may be valuable keys


Finding Joy Through Positive Perception
Practicing intentional positivity to outweigh the negativity brought more joy and harmony to these people’s lives as well as decreased confl


Getting to the Root: Relationship Tending
You've got to clear out the stuff that's not important, prioritize and care for what is, and continually keep an eye on it.


Empty Cups and Oxygen Masks
Practicing healthier self-care and relationship-care leads to overall happiness and satisfaction.


A United Front: Parenting as a Couple in the Midst of Kid Chaos
My wife and I recently decided on a shared epitaph for our gravestone. The summation of our accomplishments in life would be expressed thusly: “They accomplished morning sex in spite of three children running around the house”. In the therapy world, we talk about an idea called “range of affect”. Range of affect means that a person is able to experience a wide range of emotions appropriate to different situations. This is actually a positive indicator of mental health. Therap


Infomercials, Autopilot, and Adam Sandler
One of my favorite infomercials is for the Slap Chop. (No, I’m not compensated for this, nor do I necessary endorse this product.) If you don’t know what this product is, please visit the website here: www.slapchop.com. It’s a simple gadget to make slicing and dicing different foods a breeze with minimal effort and easy cleanup. The reason I love this infomercial is not necessarily for the actual product, but the way the salesperson is presenting it. That it will basically so


Don't Be Like Abby and Allen
Abby and Allen (fictitious characters, of course) are on the road to disaster if they keep heading down the same path. What can they do to t


It Takes a Village
I took this picture about a week ago. It's a little nest that a mama and papa bird built in a planter outside on my front porch. I've been watching this nest every day waiting for the eggs to hatch as I water the plant every morning. I noticed the other day that there are now five tiny eggs in this nest and the bird family is doing their best to keep these eggs dry, warm, and safe. When I went to water my plant this morning, the mama bird flew off as usual when I approached.