Magnetic Partners

Marriage

The Saver and Spender in Marriage

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on December 22, 2025

Shame may underlie money problems in couples.

Shame may underlie money problems in couples.

Relationships

Wanting Too Much From Your Partner Can Hurt Your Relationship

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on August 19, 2025

Trying too hard to hold onto something may lead to more loss.

Trying too hard to hold onto something may lead to more loss.

Marriage

When Your Partner Changes Right After Marriage

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on May 16, 2025

If what you saw was not what you got from your partner, you may not have been looking closely enough.

If what you saw was not what you got from your partner, you may not have been looking closely enough.

Relationships

Early Loss and Its Impact on Adult Romantic Relationships

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on January 13, 2025

Has your relationship been impacted by your early losses?

Has your relationship been impacted by your early losses?

Unconscious

4 Ways to Unknowingly Ruin Your Relationship

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on October 21, 2024

Are you unconsciously eroding your relationship?

Are you unconsciously eroding your relationship?

Boundaries

When Your Partner's Ex Will Not Go Away

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on August 1, 2024

Are you enabling an ex to stick around? Without appropriate boundaries, a former partner can put a current relationship at risk.

Are you enabling an ex to stick around? Without appropriate boundaries, a former partner can put a current relationship at risk.

Divorce

How High-Conflict Divorcing Couples Can Influence Children

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on July 12, 2024

For high-conflict couples, the need to fight is a way to continue a process that they are familiar with.

For high-conflict couples, the need to fight is a way to continue a process that they are familiar with.

Marriage

4 Signs You Are in a Transactional Marriage

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on May 15, 2024

Does your relationship remind you of a business deal?

Does your relationship remind you of a business deal?

Parentification

The Challenge of the Parent/Child Couple

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on January 26, 2024

Do you feel in your relationship like a parent or child?

Do you feel in your relationship like a parent or child?

Relationships

5 Essential Ingredients of Lasting and Healthy Relationships

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on October 11, 2023

Here's what you should look for before making a long-term commitment.

Here's what you should look for before making a long-term commitment.

Relationships

Why Do Spouses Pick on Each Other?

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on August 20, 2023

Do you feel picked on by your spouse?

Do you feel picked on by your spouse?

Marriage

Five Things to Consider Before Choosing a Spouse

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on July 23, 2023

Marriage is the leading cause of divorce. Increase the odds of staying married, but take a preventative stance and choose your mate carefully.

Marriage is the leading cause of divorce. Increase the odds of staying married, but take a preventative stance and choose your mate carefully.

Relationships

The Never Married: A New Normal

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on May 27, 2023

More people never marry than ever.

More people never marry than ever.

Infidelity

5 Ways to Get Out of an Extramarital Affair

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on March 16, 2023

Are you ready to give up your affair?

Are you ready to give up your affair?

Marriage

5 Reasons Some Marriages Are Doomed From the Start

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on January 24, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Was your marriage doomed from the start?

A Personal Perspective: Was your marriage doomed from the start?

Mating

Is Our Physical Attraction Pre-Determined?

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on November 28, 2022

Personal Perspective: Most people, when pressed, can identify their "type."

Personal Perspective: Most people, when pressed, can identify their "type."

Sex

The Difficulty With Ending an Affair

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on October 27, 2022

Is your lover starting to remind you of your partner or spouse?

Is your lover starting to remind you of your partner or spouse?

Sex

Managing Sexual Paraphilias and Fetishes

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on August 1, 2022

Controlling the most challenging of urges.

Controlling the most challenging of urges.

Jealousy

6 Causes of Drama at Weddings

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on July 15, 2022

Weddings are often the context for bizarre behavior. Why is that?

Weddings are often the context for bizarre behavior. Why is that?

Marriage

4 Reasons to Get Premarital Counseling

Stephen J. Betchen D.S.W. on June 11, 2022

When in doubt get premarital counseling.

When in doubt get premarital counseling.