by James Robbins, M.A., LPC When is your next argument scheduled? I often ask this question of couples, but it also applies to families, co-workers, friends. You argue the most with the people closest to you, and most of these arguments follow a fairly predictable pattern. I know, I know–you don’t plan these arguments. But […]
The Relationship Prison
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC Suppose you wake up in a prison cell, where you discover your only cell mate: the person you got you sentenced to prison, and for a crime you didn’t commit. What’s the fair thing to do? The fair thing is for your cell mate to take responsibility, to say “I […]
Show Appreciation — Even if You Have to Fake it at First
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC If you’re in a serious romantic relationship and you’re not complimenting your partner every day, you’re missing the low-hanging fruit. Relationships are hard work, but this part can be easy–if you let it. So your spouse can’t keep a job. This is a problem. But your spouse also makes […]
How Couples Counseling Helps Couples Work Through Issues
Couples counseling helps couples work through their issues in a number of ways. For example, when most couples come to counseling they’ve experienced some issues, some struggles around communication, they find that they’re in some stale issues where they just go round and round in arguments. What we refer to in couples counseling are scripts […]
Is Communication Really the Problem?
by James Robbins, M.A., LPC In the fifteen years I’ve been working with couples, the vast majority of initial couples sessions begin the same way. We’ve been together X years, and we really love each other. When things are good, they’re really good–but when things are bad they’re really bad. Lately, small fights turns into […]
