Have you ever found yourself shying away from getting too close, whether emotionally or physically, in a relationship? If so, you’re far from alone. The fear of intimacy, a phenomenon more common than often acknowledged, affects many individuals and is an issue I frequently see with clients in my therapy practice. Emotional intimacy is about a deep connection that goes beyond the physical; it involves sharing your innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone in a way that fosters understanding, empathy, and trust. This intimacy is the cornerstone of a strong, healthy relationship ..read more

How do you know if your relationship is over? In the complex landscape of relationships, this is not an easy question to answer. Awareness of signs that your relationship might be in trouble is essential to circumvent a possible relationship breakdown. Let’s look at the indicators that could suggest your relationship is at a crossroads, and I’ll offer guidance on navigating this delicate situation. Key takeaways Open Communication is Fundamental: Open and honest communication is essential to address issues in your relationship. Self-awareness Guides Decision-making: recognising sign ..read more

When I work with couples in my online relationship clinic, it’s not uncommon for me to hear them say, “our relationship is terrible, but we love each other!” So this begs the question, can love alone sustain a robust connection? While navigating the highs and lows of companionship, it becomes clear that while love is essential, it’s not enough. An enduring, healthy relationship demands more than heartfelt emotions. Let’s get honest about love in your relationships. We’re not just talking about romance; we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of making love last. From handling disagreement ..read more

Are you and your partner going through a rough patch in your relationship? Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the challenges? Marriage counselling might be the solution to reignite the flame and restore harmony in your relationship. But is it worth the price? Marriage counselling offers couples a safe and confidential space to address their issues, improve communication, and rebuild trust. With the guidance of a trained therapist, you can uncover underlying patterns, explore emotions, and develop effective strategies to overcome obstacles. Key takeaways: Investing in marriage c ..read more

In a recent interview with The Guardian, I delved into the intricate landscape of mature marriages—those enduring 20 years or more or where couples have gracefully crossed the 50-year-old milestone. Referred to as the ‘grey divorce,’ this phenomenon unveils itself in the counselling realm of my online relationship clinic. In this post, I explore the reasons behind the breakdown of these enduring unions and the complexities that lead couples to seek separation or divorce. The tales from my online couples counselling clinic shed light on a prevalent reality that echoes the challenges faced by c ..read more

Many couples get caught in constant bickering cycles for long periods of time. While not full fights, bickering still wears away at your connection to your partner and leaves you both feeling lonely. But it’s not impossible to fix a bickering marriage. Key Takeaways: Often couples bicker because of stress and being busy and tired. Bickering in long-term relationships can become a habit. You can stop bickering and learn to communicate in a healthy way surprisingly easily. Couples fight even in healthy relationships. Aren’t niggles and a bit of bickering fairly normal with our busy, stressful ..read more

Communication isn’t just talking with each other. It’s possible for a couple to talk the time and still communicate poorly. Key takeaways: Communication is more than just talking and listening. Healthy communication is a set of skills you can improve on. Fulfilling relationships comes from learning to listen and resolve conflicts well. Effective communication is essential for romantic relationships. But we don’t all start out communicating well with our romantic partners. Relationships stretch us, and if we work at improving communication, we can discover new skills and deeper relationship ..read more

When we see certain characteristics between couples, it’s a good sign of a healthy and happy relationship. Relationships are always a work in progress, but if you have some idea of what maintains healthy relationships, you’ll know the direction to head in. Key Takeaways A similar group of traits is seen in healthy relationships. By focusing on what makes relationships successful, we see areas where we can improve. Respect, admiration, and support are critical to a successful relationship. Are there common traits in a healthy relationship? Relationship experts John Gottman and Stan Tatkin ha ..read more

There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship or a perfect partner. No matter how much of a dream your relationship is right now, there always comes the point when romantic relationships bring challenges. Issues inevitably surface. Sometimes boredom creeps in, or it becomes hard to create romantic moments because you have such a busy life. Sometimes relationships fail simply because of the high bar we set for “perfect love” in the modern world. In my work with couples, especially those who are finding their relationship hard, the research of Dr. Stan Tatkin and his PACT approach is often hel ..read more

Having conflict in your relationship doesn’t mean your marriage is in trouble. Many people think they need to avoid disagreements to have a good marriage, but conflict is inevitable. No one agrees on everything all the time. It’s not how often you disagree but how you handle your disagreements in the moment that matters most. In a healthy relationship, both people can express their views and have their say without fear. That’s why it’s essential for couples to learn to manage their differences of opinion and practise good conflict resolution together. Key takeaways Disagreements are not a si ..read more