DBT is a form of therapy that is used to reduce self harm behaviors, to decrease anger and other problems related to emotional regulation. However, DBT can also be very useful and beneficial during couples therapy by focusing on skills to improve dysfunctional behaviors related emotional regulation.  You may be wondering what this means or even looks like in a relationship.

Studies show that the first 3 years after babies were born, a whopping 2/3rd of parents experienced a significant drop in their relationship quality. Being with the baby was so sweet but being together as partners turned bitter causing a significant increase in conflict in your realtionship.

Neurodivergence encompasses various perspectives and experiences, which may differ from conventional societal norms. As a counsellor, I recognize the unique assets it brings to relationships. Rather than focusing solely on challenges, let's explore how neurodivergent traits can enrich and enhance our connections. We can refer to these traits as strengths or forces!

As life-altering as experiencing trauma in your relationships is, it should not prevent you from experiencing intimacy and romance in the future. Learn about the various ways relationship trauma manifests itself and how to deal with it in an informed manner.

One suggestion is to be intentional in planning time together with your partner. This doesn’t have to be daily, and it doesn’t mean taking hours out of your weekly schedule. Planning small pockets of time to sit together, talk (not about work, kids, pets, or schedules) is deeply important. Spending even ten minutes daily sitting quietly together, can be significant. You might want to create a boundary that you only want to know about your partner. Sitting with, listening, touching, and empathizing with your partner (and them with you)…these are almost like micro-moments. Their effect is powerful, however.

Since the conception of sexual behaviors and performance are all rooted in the brain, mental well-being has a direct correlation with these intimate aspects of our lives. On this World Sexual Health Day, learn about what trauma is and how it impacts your brain and creates obstacles in your sex life.

Sometimes when your “to do” lists feel unending, the idea of connecting with your partner can feel like one more thing on that list. You would love to just float away to some tropical island and have unlimited time to focus on your relationship, but when you wake up to a blaring alarm, complaining kids, or a snoring partner, the reality of life sets in. You go from task to task only to discover you are two ships passing and some days you might start to wonder, is this is all there is?

If you notice that your happiness is often dependent upon your partner’s happiness, you recognize a need to be in communication with them frequently or feel panicked when they don’t return the gesture, or you notice even your behaviour changes when you feel your relationship is in any way unstable, you may have an anxious attachment style.

Perhaps this is your first Christmas with a new partner or as a married couple, and you’re wondering, how’s this going to go? The thought of sharing the holidays with a partner or spouse could bring up a myriad of emotions – excitement, relief, anxiety, curiosity, gratitude, sadness… you name it! Read on for some helpful tips for how to manage your time (and emotions) as a couple this holiday season.

How did this happen? How did you go from feeling like this person was your soul mate to wondering who the hell you’re looking at. You’ve gone from talking for hours on end to exchanging brief conversations where you don’t really talk about anything, let alone know them and what they’re going through right now.

It’s awful. It’s discouraging. It’s scary. And it’s so lonely.

Learning what healthy love, attachment and relationships look like in a safe and ongoing context can help you adjust your attachment style.

So how do you know if your relationship has come to the end? Or if you continue to commit to it? There is no simple way of figuring this out – there is no handbook or miracle question you can ask yourself or your partner. But there are cues and signs of a healthy versus unhealthy relationship.

We’re here to help you find ways to go deeper, feel more connected, and have some successful date nights. Here are 10 different suggestions for date night. Some are free, some are cheap, and some require a bit more effort or money. We hope that they help you find something to inspire you to get out on a date and connect with your spouse in a different way.

Are you wanting to build your friendship with your spouse? Start by asking questions that help you get to know each other again.

It takes an average of six years before couples look for professional help for their relationship. By that time things are pretty rough. What if you considered looking into counselling for your relationship before things get too bad?  What would do you think marriage counselling do for you then?  How can marriage counselling help you?

Research shows that pursuing your partner in marriage leads to a lower chance of divorce and increases the perceived quality of the relationship for both partners. One study done by the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia showed that dating your partner at every stage significantly improves essential components of a relationship such as commitment, parenthood stability, happiness, and communication. Whitney Regan provides four dates that consist of purposeful connection opportunities with your partner.

Covid-19 has affected us all in different ways. If you are partnered, you may be searching for new ways to relate, resolve issues, or simply be together. So, how can you move through this perhaps once in a lifetime event with your relationship intact? Duncan Keist offers 5 ways that can help you connect with your spouse again.