Blog
Articles on relationships, family and wellbeing.
Needs in Relationships
Everyone in a relationship has needs and it’s important to be clear about what they are. For those who are people pleasers, this can make them feel very uncomfortable to have this conversation, so instead of sharing with their partner what their needs are, they say nothing to avoid what they suspect...
Loveless Relationships
Many couples go through their marriage/relationships as loveless and or sexless. This can last anywhere from 6yrs to over 20yrs depending if there are children or if one partner is more financially than the other. One person may beg their partner throughout the relationship to attend couples therapy...
Negative attitudes that damage your relationship
It is easy to take each other for granted after being together long-term. You forget about what it took to keep each other in the beginning. The way you spoke to each other, the dates, making each other a priority, daily phone calls and text messages, maybe gifts along the way and even flowers. But...
Relationship Conflict
Sometimes conflict in our relationship comes from our own family systems. Because there are two people in the relationship, you have two family systems affecting your relationship. So what are family systems? Family systems are how your family communicated and functioned during your childhood. These...
Most common issues in relationships
Most common issues in relationships that I see couples with are: No.1. Communication. No.2. Conflict management. Conflict has many parts which are addressed below. a. Talking over each other. b. Not listening to understand. c. Someone has to always be right. d. The same person backs down. e. Disresp...
Do you really know how to love your partner?
This may sound like a strange question to ask, however, if your parents did not model unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness, consideration, compromise, or affection during your childhood/adolescence, you may not know how to have a healthy relationship. When couples form relationships, there is...
Relationships with Blended Families
Relationships are difficult in any family but blended families come with their own challenges. When there are two households involved, they’re going to come up with their own set of rules and boundaries. Maybe one household is seen as the “fun” family because they have fewer rules and the child/chil...
Why is it important to have clear boundaries?
People pleasers have difficulty setting boundaries for fear of not meeting the approval of others. People pleasers often recognise this is who they are which can develop from childhood and quite often because one parent was kind and generous to others. A child observes the appreciation returned to t...
Communication Styles in Relationships
Communication styles in a relationship can make or break a couple. Everyone needs to feel heard and validated, however, for each person to feel heard and validated this will not be the same for both individuals. One person may feel hurt by their partner’s words and will need their partner to just va...
Love Languages in Relationships
Everyone has at least one love language, even if you are not aware of what it is. We often give our partners what we need from them. You may be a very affectionate person but your partner did not come from affectionate parents and therefore affection makes them feel uncomfortable. This leaves you fe...
What keeps a relationship going long term?
We know relationships are about companionship, friendship and romance, but most of all relationships are about loyalty, commitment, support, listening, and validating your partner’s feelings and perspective. A woman needs to feel emotionally, physically, sexualising, spiritually, financially and psy...
Coercive Abuse in Relationships
What is coercive abuse? Coercive abuse is also referred to as abuse of power. Because the abuse is not physical, too often the victim doesn’t realise they are being abused. So what does it look like and how does it differ from physical abuse? Coercive abuse can be psychological, emotional, controlli...