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10 Signs You Should Start Couples Therapy Before a Crisis
Once upon a time you'd found the love of your life, and everything seemed great. Those new-relationship hormones were raging. It was hard to imagine anything would feel hard. But over time, the hormones settle and patterns start to emerge. You might still feel great love for your partner, but wish some things were different.
Balancing Commitment, Friendship, and Passion: A Guide for Couples
A long term relationship should have three elements: commitment, friendship, and passion. When these elements are in equilibrium, relationships thrive. But when they're not, people feel unsatisfied and anxious. Let's explore what each part means, the challenges that arise when they go missing, and how couples therapy can help restore balance.
Navigating Virtual Codependency: Balancing Online and Offline Love
The way we connect with our partners has changed drastically with technology. While technology has enriched our lives in many ways, it has also given rise to virtual codependency. Virtual codependency happens when a couple becomes too intertwined with their phones and social media.
Choosing the Right Approach: Gottman Method Couples Therapy, EFT, and Imago Therapy
When couples seek therapy, they have various approaches to choose from. But how do you know which one to choose? Without special training in therapy, it can feel overwhelming. It's okay if you don't know where to start. Three popular approaches are Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Imago Couples Therapy. Let's explore the differences between these approaches and how they can help couples.
Is There Such a Thing as Unconditional Love? A Therapist Weighs In
The concept of unconditional love is often depicted as the purest, most noble form of love. It knows no bounds or limitations. The thought of it feels good. But is unconditional love truly attainable?
5 Daily Habits For Lasting Love From Couples Therapists
Every couple encounters challenges on their journey together. The key to a thriving relationship often lies in the daily habits you cultivate. As couples therapists serving major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, we understand the importance of research in this area. In this article, we'll explore Gottman's Small Daily Habits and how they can improve your relationship.
Four Horsemen of the Relationship Apocalypse: Resolving Conflict in Couples Therapy
It’s a scene you know too well: You and your partner are having a conversation, and before you know it, it escalates into a heated argument. You both leave the conversation feeling upset and more distant than before. Sometimes it feels like an emotional apocalypse within our relationships. Here’s what’s actually going on and what to do about it.
Five Texting Tips From A Therapist For a Closer Relationship
Texting has become an integral part of our romantic relationships. As couples therapists, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that texting can have on couples' connections. Here are our top 5 texting tips to help couples maintain a closer bond through digital communication.
How Shared Goals Can Strengthen Your Relationship
All couples want to feel close. Common goals for couples therapy are to reduce conflict and improve communication. But what comes after that? One of the key findings from Dr. John Gottman's studies is that setting goals in a relationship can lead to the ultimate stage of connection: a sense of shared meaning.
Signs Your Relationship is Strong Enough to Get Engaged According To A Therapist
When is the right time to get engaged? It’s a major life milestone and not one to be taken lightly. If you are in a solid and loving relationship, you may find yourself wondering if you and your partner are ready to take the next step.
LGBT Couples Therapy: Things Your Couples Therapist Should Understand
Some well-meaning therapists say that LGBT couples therapy is no different than therapy for straight people. As great as that would be if that were true, it’s dismissive. Here are six very concrete ways LGBT couples therapy is different than therapy for straight couples.
Podcast: Understanding the Joys and Hurdles of LGBT Family Life
A dialogue between Dr. Beth Trammel and Laurel Roberts-Meese, LMFT. As we honor the spirit of Pride Month, Laurel explains the significance of language within the LGBT community and emphasizes the crucial role of allies in providing support while respecting boundaries.
How Long Does The Honeymoon Phase Last In A Lesbian Relationship?
The honeymoon phase is that exciting beginning period of a relationship when everything feels new and thrilling. There's a huge wave of neurochemicals that make you feel excited, giddy, elated, and on top of the world. But how long does this initial burst of intense passion last for lesbian and woman-loving-woman couples?
What To Do When Someone Sets a Harsh Boundary With You
How to respond to harsh and unreasonable boundaries.
Relationship Green Flags
California therapist Alexis Bibler shares 8 things to look for in a partner as you're dating.
Holidays as a Couple: A Guide to Love, Negotiations, and New Traditions
A therapist gives advice about how to communicate with your partner around the holidays.
The Most Common Problem Between Couples - And How To Fix It
In the last 10 years I have worked with many couples and I wanted to share one of the most common problems that I hear about and see on my couch: that is the pursuer-distancer dynamic.
The Sound Relationship House: How Therapists Help Couples
Therapists at Laurel Therapy Collective use the Sound Relationship House model to help couples reduce conflict and build greater affection.
What can Straight Couples Learn from Queer Couples?
Hetero couples could learn a few things from queer relationships, according to a recent study of straight and gay couples.
How to Honor Your Mental Health This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day: you either love it or love to hate it. Whether you are currently single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, the holiday can trigger strong emotional responses. Valentine’s Day often comes with expectations and comparisons, which are never great for self-esteem. Here are some tips to protect your energy and mental health this February 14th.
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We offer individualized teletherapy for a wide range of mental health and relational issues. Our San Francisco & Los Angeles teletherapists can help with anxiety, trauma therapy, EMDR therapy, LGBT issues, holistic therapy, enneagram therapy, therapy for lawyers, couples therapy, and therapy for teenagers. We serve many people in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Los Angeles, as well as throughout California and Florida. Our team is anti-racist, body positive, LGBT and trans affirming and sex positive. You deserve to feel good!