Stronger at the Broken Places

How challenges can strengthen your relationship

Linda and Charlie Bloom

Transitions and Transformations in Trying Times

We experience transitions throughout our lives. Some of them we choose, and some of them come uninvited...

You Can’t Hurry Trust

Rebuilding trust after an affair is possible—but that doesn't mean it will happen quickly.

Is a “Good Enough Marriage” Enough for You?

Large numbers of people—some single desiring to be married, and some already married but struggling—would be happy to have a “good enough” marriage.

The New “Mixed Marriage”

Carolyn and Keith came into therapy after 11 years of marriage complaining of having “grown apart” due to having a different "spiritual paths."

What Is a Rescue Marriage?

The importance of having a trusted person to talk to about traumas cannot be overstated. A confidant is much more than psychologically beneficial.

There’s a Lid for Every Pot

Commitment and intention are both mighty forces, and especially potent when combined.

The Cheap Thrill You Get From Putting Down

Faye and Chip had been locked in a struggle for power that was taking an enormous toll on their marriage.

Monogamy Is More Than Sexual

Perhaps no aspect of marriage is more provocative, challenging, and misunderstood than monogamy. It's more than an agreement on exclusivity.

Together, Against, Apart

In the field of couples counseling, a great deal is explored about the together aspect of relationships with attention placed on the critical importance of commitment.

Setting the Stage for Sexual Intimacy

“Even people who look foreward to being sexual with their partner must go through a transition from responsibility to pleasure.” — Esther Perel

Three Secrets of Success

Commitment opens up inconceivable possibilities.

The Pygmalian Effect in Couples

If we support our partner to evolve into who they can become, and they do that for us, we have the makings for a great relationship.

Living from Our Core Values

Love is a powerful force, but love alone, without a through examination of each other's core values, will not be enough to sustain a long-term partnership.

Sex Can Improve With Age

One of the most common complaints from couples that have been together for a significant amount of time is that their sex life has become stale.

A Shiny New Model of Marriage

A growth model of marriage is one in which we make a commitment to ourselves and each other...

Managing the Inner Cynic

The expectation that the marriage be filled with love, happiness, well-being and personal growth is a tall order, but not out of reach.

Loving Kindness for Our Partner

Happy couples hold each other with what Carl Rogers calls “unconditional positive regard.” Successful couples know how to be fully present with each other with an open heart.

True Intimacy Can Exist Only Between Equals

Melony and Jude married when they were both barely out of their teens. Like many couples, neither of them had experienced or observed much genuine intimacy in their lives.

Holding the Tension of the Opposites

By learning to hold the tension of the opposites, we stretch and grow. There is more space for seemingly opposite ideas and feelings to coexist.

Book Review: That Which Doesn't Kill Us

Charlie and Linda chose to apply the lessons from their painful experiences to gain the inner strengths and wisdom that a full recovery demanded.

Beware of Corporate Marriage Syndrome

Corporate marriage syndrome occurs when the company requires allegiance to the corporation over and above the employee’s time and energy devoted to family.

When Two Hearts Are Connected

We often don’t realize how precariously we are perched in our life. In an instant, our whole existence can change...

When Two Hearts Are Connected

We often don’t realize how precariously we are perched in our life.

Beware of the Perils of Confirmation Bias

If you’re like me you’ve often been mystified by others (including your primary partner) who appear to be unable to accept the reasonable and obvious point of view...

6 Words That Can Change Your Life

We all have specific ways that we want to experience being loved, and tend to give what we want to receive. We can’t help being subjective.

The Best Time to Get Help for Your Relationship

Most couples wait too long to get help. Unnecessary suffering occurs in secrecy and isolation when you are too embarrassed to ask for assistance.

Divorce as a Catalyst for Transformation

Dora was married for a year when her husband Sean left her with a ten-month old baby girl. She felt lost, lonely and terrified that she couldn't make it on her own...

6 Essential Qualities of the Happiest Relationships

After our study, we realized that happy doesn't necessarily mean tranquil. Many of the "happy" couples were quite opinionated and could be volatile at times...

Advice From Happy Couples, Part 1

My husband Charlie and I interviewed 50 happy couples and chatted informally with many more. Our goal was to come up with practical advice.

Coming Out From Behind the Image

Conscious loving requires us to come out from behind the security of our manufactured image, and bring a high level of authenticity into our life.

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