A woman reveals her long-standing sexual dissatisfaction to her husband, offering an ultimatum to either open their marriage or end it, highlighting the importance of communication and mutual understanding in relationships.
Orna Guralnik, a therapist from 'Couples Therapy,' gained unexpected attention for her unique style, which blends abstract geometric shapes with punk rock influences, surprising many who expected more traditional therapist attire.
Sue Johnson, a British-born Canadian psychologist and founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy, passed away at 76 due to a rare form of melanoma. She revolutionized couples therapy by emphasizing emotional attachment over behavioral modification, challenging traditional methods and advocating for the importance of emotional bonds in relationships.
Sharon Osbourne revealed in a new interview that her husband, Ozzy Osbourne, has "always been inappropriate with women" and that she knew what she was getting into when she married him. Despite his behavior, she remains loyal and committed to their 41-year-long marriage, even though attempts at couples therapy have failed. Sharon also shared that Ozzy's blunt and unfiltered nature has caused challenges, and they have been open about their marital struggles and his past drug use.
Unhappy marriages can wreak havoc on physical and mental health, leading to PTSD, anxiety, depression, identity issues, poor cardiac health, loneliness, weakened immune system, and increased emotional and physical pain. Research shows that emotionally connected couples are healthier, and emotionally focused couples therapy can help reverse the damage caused by marital unhappiness. It's important to seek professional help if PTSD, anxiety, depression, or identity issues are affecting your happiness or relationship.
Couples therapy may not be effective in certain toxic scenarios, such as when divorce is already considered, one partner has decided to split, there are irreconcilable lifestyle differences, unaddressed substance abuse or mental health issues, or in cases of abuse. Alternatives like discernment counseling, closure therapy, or individual counseling may be more appropriate. Resources like loveisrespect.org and the National Domestic Violence Hotline provide support for those in abusive relationships.
A woman discovers that her husband has been keeping a private list of things to avoid in their relationship, including not sharing vulnerabilities with her. While his intentions may have been to remind himself of what makes her feel loved, some points raise concerns about avoiding negative topics and hesitancy to be vulnerable. It is important for the couple to address these issues and seek professional help if needed, as resentment and contempt can damage the relationship. Open and empathetic communication, along with fair fighting techniques, can help them navigate their struggles and initiate positive change.
Brooke Burke revealed on a podcast that she and Derek Hough initially had a difficult partnership on "Dancing with the Stars" but ended up seeking couples therapy arranged by producers. Brooke admitted to developing feelings for Derek and said she would have had a love affair with him if she wasn't married at the time. She described the intense connection and intimacy that comes from dancing together. Brooke also discussed her departure as a host on "DWTS" and expressed frustration over not being given a reason for her sudden departure. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude for the experience and the personal growth it brought her.
Fans of High School Musical were shocked to learn that Troy and Gabriella, the beloved couple from the original film series, are in couples therapy in the fourth and final season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+. The revelation left fans reeling, as they had hoped for an unbreakable relationship between the high school sweethearts. Despite the disappointment, the spin-off show featured appearances from other original stars and provided updates on their characters' lives.
Actress Megan Fox was caught in a tense situation at the Orange County Fair when a man attempted to attack her partner, Machine Gun Kelly. In a TikTok video, Fox is seen being slammed into a barricade by MGK's security guard, but he quickly comes to her rescue. The couple, who have been working on their relationship and attending couples therapy, walked away from the incident with the security guard following them.
Actor Matt Damon revealed that he negotiated with his wife during couples therapy that he would take a break from working unless director Christopher Nolan called him. Damon had previously worked with Nolan on Interstellar and wanted to be part of the Oppenheimer cast. He shared this story during an interview and also mentioned that he plays Leslie Groves in the upcoming film Oppenheimer, alongside a star-studded cast.
A retired man from San Antonio discovered that his wife had been scammed by an online fraudster posing as a romantic interest, resulting in her accumulating around $50,000 in loans and credit card payments. Instead of divorcing his wife of 25 years, the husband is committed to working through the financial and emotional aftermath. Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey advised the couple to close the smaller credit card accounts and hold off on paying the larger loans until trust is rebuilt through therapy. Ramsey also suggested that the wife consider returning to work to repay the loans and take responsibility for the emotional affair. Romance scams are prevalent, with 70,000 people reporting being victims in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Relationship experts and couples therapists have identified several immediate red flags in couples therapy. These include a lack of communication and discomfort discussing difficult topics, expecting partners to be mind readers, blaming one partner for all issues, bringing up past misbehaviors during arguments, and maintaining close relationships with individuals who dislike the other spouse. Other red flags include sexual incompatibility, resistance to change, prioritizing individuality over the relationship, selfishness, and boundary violations. It is also important to respond positively to repair attempts, respect each other's boundaries, avoid triangulating children, and refrain from humiliating or demeaning behavior. Expressing gratitude towards one's partner regularly is also crucial for a healthy relationship.
A reader caught her husband lying about their shared investments and borrowing money for forex trading, which he lost. The husband admitted to prioritizing money over their relationship and wants to rebuild trust. The columnist suggests seeking a couple's therapist with experience in dealing with financial infidelity and setting healthy boundaries. The website Healthy Love and Money is also recommended as a resource for learning to communicate about finances.
A man who has successfully dealt with hoarding issues in his family is struggling to combine his possessions with his fiancée's, who suffers from compulsive decluttering. They have opposing styles and are quick to label each other as having a serious disorder. A couples therapist is recommended to help them sort out, rearrange, and unpack the considerable baggage they each bring into the relationship. The author also discusses her insight into addiction, which she has studied extensively.