Picture a habit capable of transforming your marriage or long-term relationship – it's not an exaggeration to say it's a game-changer! Many couples I work with find themselves immersed in the demands of parenting, careers, and the absence of family support, leaving little time for connection at the end of the day. After a hectic day, navigating through dinner, and putting the kids to bed, you may find yourself with minimal energy or inclination to reconnect. Perhaps your partner's habits start to grate on you, triggering irritation. They might forget to clean up after themselves, neglect to c ..read more

Are you about to be in a long distance relationship and you’re wondering whether or not they last? Well, there are so many things that you can do to make sure that your relationship can sustain distance and still stay strong, healthy and bonded. I’d like to start with a story. There was a couple that I worked with a little while ago and they were a wreck. They were so frustrated with each other, about to end their relationship because distance just felt impossible. They had started out their relationship really in love, and they were just all about each other and thought “we’re a great coupl ..read more

The holiday season, though filled with joy, can sometimes bring along its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to spending time with in-laws and extended family. We understand that these gatherings might be making you apprehensive, especially if there's tension or disagreement within your family dynamics.  We’re here to offer some valuable insights on how to handle these situations with confidence and maintain the bond with your partner. Understanding the Unique Family Dynamics: In Gottman method couples therapy, we recognize that every marriage is a cross-cultural experien ..read more

How we express our thoughts and feelings can significantly impact the dynamics of our relationships, especially with our partners. Have you ever noticed that sometimes the way you start a conversation can predict its outcome? Today, we explore the concept of the "softened start-up" – a technique that can transform the way you communicate with your partner. Understanding the Harsh Start-Up vs. Softened Start-Up: Often, we initiate conversations with our partners in ways that may unintentionally lead to conflict. A harsh start-up involves being critical, contemptuous, or blaming, which can make ..read more

Today, I want to delve into an amazing set of skills for anyone who struggles with intense conflict in their relationships or who has difficulty calming their own internal emotional storms. In our daily lives, emotions often behave like a volume knob, sometimes turned to deafening levels by anger, sadness, or fear. These overwhelming emotions, often stemming from early life experiences or traumatic events, can feel like a tsunami, threatening to sweep us away and make us feel powerless to do anything. Suppressing these feelings might seem the safest option, but it often leads to ano ..read more

Today, I wanted to introduce you to a powerful method we've embraced at Couples Counseling ATL for healing people experiencing symptoms of PTSD after being betrayed by their partner: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR therapy sessions are facilitated by our dedicated counselor and EMDR trauma specialist, Jessica Hart, MFT. Understanding EMDR Therapy: A Beacon of Healing EMDR therapy is a well-established and highly effective approach designed to address the deep emotional wounds caused by traumatic events, such as the aftermath of betrayal. It involves a comp ..read more

Do you and your partner differ in the way that you express your emotions? Does the way that they talk about feelings bother you? Perhaps their anger comes out too loudly, or their openness about sadness makes you uncomfortable. These differences, far from unusual, often emerge from the distinct emotional cultures we inherited from our families, from the way they raised us, to the biological. Because each of you come from different families, every relationship is a “cross cultural experience”, which makes them rich and beautiful but also potentially difficult when differences bring up judgment ..read more

Are you finding yourself caught in repetitive arguments with your partner that never seem to lead anywhere? We'd like to introduce you to a powerful exercise from the Gottman Institute called "Dreams Within Conflict" that can help you uncover the deeper issues behind those recurring disagreements. The "Dreams Within Conflict" exercise is a game-changer for couples, especially when it comes to those topics that seem to trigger endless disputes. It provides a structured framework to discuss perpetual problems calmly and constructively, even those that feel insurmountable. This exercise delves i ..read more

Are you struggling with basic conflict in your relationship? You're not alone.Today, I want to introduce you to a powerful tool called the Gottman-Rapoport Exercise, a valuable resource for couples seeking to address their conflicts effectively. The Gottman-Rapoport Exercise is a fundamental technique we incorporate into couples therapy. It combines the research from the Gottman Institute with the work of Anatol Rapoport, who studied conflict resolution in international contexts. We've found that this exercise's principles can be applied successfully to couples. Whether your problem is solv ..read more

Greetings from Couples Counseling ATL! We're excited to bring you the latest insights and discussions from our team of dedicated therapists. Join us as we delve into intriguing topics that aim to enrich relationships and enhance emotional well-being. Featured Discussion: "Exploring 'Drama-free Today' by Dr. Nedra Tawab" In our recent meeting, our team, including Stephanie Cook, Liz Clements, David Blanchard, and Bridgette Hinton, embarked on a deep exploration of the transformative book "Drama-free Today" by Dr. Nedra Tawab. Let's dive into the highlights of our engaging conversation: Understa ..read more