People get married for lots of reasons. And just because your reasons differ from someone else, that doesn’t mean they are the wrong reasons to get married. In fact, it’s fair to say that every single person has reasons that are unique to them. That being said, this is one of the biggest decisions of […] The post “It’s the Next Logical Step” and Other Wrong Reasons to Get Married appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

Updated on July 2020. Originally published June 2010. After an affair, you may want to consider marriage counseling. But finding the right counselor can be a challenge. Houston is full of choices for couples counseling. First, check credentials. What’s their education? Continuing education? How about availability? Do they offer online services? Are they HIPAA-compliant? But […] The post After an Affair: Is Houston Couples Counseling Right for You? appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

If we asked whether you and your spouse “fight fair,” what would you say? What would they say? What actions and reactions make for a fair fight in your opinion? Like everything else that ensures positive growth in a committed relationship – every couple’s answers to those questions are slightly different.  Every couple fights, it’s […] The post Fighting with Love… or How to “Fight Fair”- Part 1 appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

Finding someone who makes you happy is wonderful. It only makes sense that you’d want that happiness to last forever. The problem is that it’s all too easy to grow complacent and lose sight of what made you enjoy being with each other to begin with.  Research shows that strong, long-lasting relationships are fed through […] The post Keep Your Marriage Fresh: Trying New Things Keeps the Spark Alive appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

January 1, 2020 isn’t just the start of a new year. It’s the start of a new decade! This exciting milestone is the perfect time to start fresh, commit to healthy habits, and make goals for upcoming weeks, months, and even years.  We all know the most common New Year’s Resolutions: lose weight, quit smoking, […] The post New Year’s Resolutions for Your Relationship appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

Communication is key in relationships – you know that. But let’s talk about how you are communicating with your spouse.  You probably talk to them at home or send them quick messages throughout the day. These things aren’t necessarily bad ideas, but they can get mundane. And if you’re not thinking, you might even communicate […] The post It’s Important to Share Your Feelings In Writing appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

There have been countless funny movies and television episodes made about couples workshops and retreats. Usually, the frustrated couple heads to a luxurious destination with a kooky therapist. Even though both partners are hesitant at first, their relationship grows stronger in the end.  Real couples retreats typically have quite a few differences. They don’t have […] The post Why A Couples Retreat Is the Best Way to Focus on Your Marriage appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

According to a study recently published in Family Process, it is the way we argue that makes a difference in whether we believe ourselves to be happy in our relationships.  Essentially, couples who tend to maintain a solution-oriented approach when facing conflict are happier than those who don’t. This study also found that the longer […] The post Why You Should Focus on Solvable Issues First appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

Part of a life-partnership is accepting all of the emotions that come with it… yours and your spouse’s. However, in a culture that espouses kindness, empathy, and unfaltering regard, of course, it’s often a reflex to deny any negative feelings.  No, you don’t feel like ripping his head off for losing the keys… again. Why […] The post How Telling Your Partner When You’re Mad Can Actually Help Your Relationship appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more

Sometimes it’s hard to separate yourself from an emotionally-charged situation. Simple spats can spin out of control before we even realize what’s happening. This is particularly true when personal triggers are involved. We all have personal triggers – things that immediately put us on the defensive when we encounter them. Maybe your partner’s interest in […] The post What You and Your Partner Can Do to Move Past Sore Points appeared first on The Center for Marriage and Family Relationships, Houston, TX ..read more