It sounds perfect. Not only is your husband or wife your husband or wife, but they’re also your best friend. For those couples that can claim this as part of their marital bliss, they really have the best of both worlds. But not all couples are best friends. Nor do they have to be. That’s… Read More »
John Harrison LPCC
How to stop being passive aggressive with your partner (say what you really want to say)
A couple that’s been coming to see me for couples counseling for a few weeks has an on-going problem. Like many couples with marital issues, Jenn and Kyle have communication issues. Their particular issue is that they don’t know how to express their anger with one another without being passive aggressive. They’re unable to effectively… Read More »
How to be ok with not getting the last word
It feels really good to be “right”. To be able to win that argument and get that last word in. You have just spent a tremendous amount of energy in arguing with your partner, or whoever it might be. The last thing you want to do is to let go, stop, and not “win”. So… Read More »
Why improving self esteem is hard
Most of us have some area of ourselves that we don’t feel very good about. People might tell us “you’re fine!” or “don’t worry about it!”. But it’s not that easy. Some of us don’t feel good about ourselves at all. It’s hard for some people to think they’re good at anything. A failure at… Read More »
10 common misconceptions about marriage
Marriage is an awesome place of commitment, growth, and everything else in between. There’s plenty of upside to it but it also comes with some myths and misconceptions. There can be a tremendous amount of pressure, and false obligations that surround our perception of marriage. Both coming from in the marriage from the spouses and… Read More »
Redefining masculinity by what it is. Not what it isn’t.
A couple of years ago I attended a workshop on relationship counseling. The room was packed with therapists looking to hear an esteemed author give his take on how to help couples reconcile their relational struggles. The ratio of women therapists to male therapists in the audience was about 80 to 20, women to men…. Read More »
The “shoulding” reflex and how it affects you
I stumbled upon this article the other day. “30 things every grown ass person should stop doing by the time they turn 30”. In the post it lists these behaviors that all grown adults should cease as they turn 30 years old. I found I missed the cut on a few of the author’s requirements… Read More »
Saving a marriage from the shame of infidelity (featured in the Good Men Project)
My article featured in The Good Men Project. You can read the original post here.
Kids, work, and no time for a marriage. 5 tips to change it.
I didn’t feel old when I got married. I didn’t feel old when I turned 35. I didn’t feel old when my wife and I had our first daughter. In April we had our second daughter. Now I’m feeling it. The child coverage in the house has gone from “double team” to “man to man”…. Read More »
What’s with all the anger and division?
Everyone has to have noticed what seems to be an increase in violence, anger, and division in the world. There’s something tragic to see or hear about everyday. Everybody wants there to be some peace and resolution but there’s no one consensus to how to help. The world is rapidly changing. We can’t deny it…. Read More »