When “Good Morning” Becomes “Did You…?” | Couples Counseling Atlanta
When “Good Morning” Becomes “Did You…?”: Reconnecting as a Couple One of the subtle ways couples can lose connection after having children is when every interaction starts becoming about logistics. You wake up. Instead of “Good morning,” it becomes: “Did you change her diaper?” “Is there soccer today?” “Who’s picking him up?” “Did you remember […]
The CEO & The CFO | Marriage Counseling Druid Hills, Atlanta
It’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed and harried by the daily grind. Carpools. Lunches. Baths. Bedtime. Homework. Activities. Work. By the end of the day, many parents are simply depleted. And sometimes, it feels like there’s no energy left for one another. That’s a problem — not because you’re doing anything wrong, but […]
When Your Attitude Speaks Louder Than Your Words
“What am I doing wrong?” You could be doing everything right… and still be doing it wrong. Maybe you’ve learned communication skills. You’re choosing your words carefully. You’re trying not to argue. You’re biting your tongue. But if your internal mindset is: “She’s so moody. I just have to put up with this. I’ll say […]
Helping Around the House: Why 5% Can Feel Like 50%
Helping Around the House: Why 5% Can Feel Like 50% Helping Around the House: Why 5% Can Feel Like 50% Helping Around the House: Why 5% Can Feel Like 50% No, this isn’t about math. It’s about perception. Many husbands underestimate the impact of a small amount of helping around the house. Your wife may […]
The Accident You Can’t See
You’re sitting in traffic. The light has turned green. The car in front of you isn’t moving. You wait a few seconds. Still nothing. Your frustration starts to build. “Come on!” Maybe you even reach for the horn. From where you’re sitting, it looks like the driver is distracted, careless, or inconsiderate. But what you […]
“We’re More Like Roommates Than Husband and Wife.”
It’s one of the most common things I hear from couples: “I love my spouse, but it feels like we’re just roommates.” You’re sharing a home. Paying bills. Taking care of the kids. Coordinating schedules. But somewhere along the way, the friendship, affection, and closeness seem to have faded. When people feel this way, it’s […]
Tug of War with Teens: What’s Actually Going On?
If you’re raising a teenager, you already know the game: one day they’re confident, decisive, and ready to take on the world. The next day they’re moody, contradictory, and arguing with you about everything from chores to curfews. It can feel like you’re in a constant tug of war—debating, negotiating, and sometimes just trying to […]
To Text or Not To Text – That is the Question!
A topic that often comes up, directly or indirectly, in couples counseling is how partners interact with each other via text. At times, texting back and forth is very convenient. When the issues at hand are transactional and straightforward, it’s obviously the way to go. However, it’s not uncommon for couples to have very long, […]
Everything I Need to Know… I Learned in Kindergarten
In 1986, Robert Fulghum published the book Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I love that title. As a couples therapist, I sometimes find myself thinking the very same thing. “Use Your Words” One of the most common phrases adults tell young children is: “Use your words.“ What do we mean by […]
Honest Feedback in Marriage Counseling: Why Truth Helps
Don’t Just Tell Me What I Want to Hear It’s not uncommon for people to open up to family members, friends, or their spouse and unburden themselves with some of the drama they’re experiencing in their lives. It’s also not uncommon for those close to them to respond with validation. “I can’t believe he said […]
The “Compliment Sandwich”: Does It Belong in Marriage?
Many of us have heard of the “compliment sandwich.” It’s a communication technique that’s often taught in the workplace. The idea is simple: begin with something positive, address the concern in the middle, and finish with another encouraging comment. It might sound something like this: “I’ve noticed you’re doing a great job keeping up with […]
Marriage Requires New Muscles
A husband once told me, with complete sincerity: “I’m just not wired that way.” He wasn’t making an excuse—or at least, he didn’t think he was. He genuinely believed that his difficulty with emotional attunement, with noticing his wife’s moods, with offering praise unprompted, was just the way he was built. Fixed. Unchangeable. I hear […]
But It Doesn’t Feel Natural
It comes up all the time in my work with couples. I’ll suggest to a husband that he be more expressive—more verbally appreciative, more attentive to the small moments, more present when his wife is talking. And before I’ve even finished the sentence, I’ll see it: a slight shift in posture, a look that says […]
You Go First
It’s one of the most common patterns I see in marriage counseling, and it sounds something like this: He thinks: “If she would stop criticizing me, I’d be so much more loving and open.” She thinks: “If he would actually be loving and open, I’d stop feeling the need to criticize.” Both of them are […]
Do You Hear Me Now?
Imagine trying to communicate with someone who speaks a completely different language. Most of us instinctively start talking louder and slower—as if volume will somehow bridge the gap. Of course, it never does. The same thing plays out in marriages and families every day. We repeat ourselves, then raise our voices, then repeat ourselves again—each […]
Why Doing the Right Things Doesn’t Always ‘Work’ Right Away
In marriage therapy, there’s a pattern that comes up again and again. A husband will come back and say:“I did everything we spoke about… and she’s still distant.” So what happened? Did he miss the mark? Sometimes—yes. It’s possible the effort wasn’t aligned with what his wife actually needs. But very often, that’s not the […]
The Instant Gratification Trap in Marriage
We live in a world where almost everything happens instantly. It’s not just about instant coffee or oatmeal. It’s instant communication with people across the globe. It’s essays written in seconds using tools like ChatGPT. It’s the growing expectation that nearly anything we want should be available—fast. And whether we realize it or not, this […]
Emotional Allergies – When Families Don’t “Do Feelings”
Emotional awareness in families is often overlooked, especially in households where feelings are rarely discussed. Over time, this can lead to disconnection, unresolved emotions, and difficulty expressing oneself. Some families don’t talk about emotions. Not during big moments. Not during small ones. Not really… ever. A loss happens—and no one processes it. A major life […]
Why She “Talks in Circles” and He Wants the Bottom Line
Communication differences in relationships are one of the biggest sources of frustration for couples. While one partner wants detailed context, the other just wants the bottom line—leading to constant misunderstandings. She’s explaining something… He’s already checking out. She’s adding details, backstory, context. He’s thinking: “Just get to the point.” This is one of the most […]
What’s Really Behind “Just Plan My Birthday”
Birthday planning in relationships often seems simple—but it can quickly lead to frustration. When one partner says “just plan my birthday,” it can actually reveal deeper expectations about love, understanding, and emotional connection. At first glance, it sounds simple: She says, “You choose what we do for my birthday.” He responds, “Let’s decide together.” And […]