Couples Counseling

We often think of marriage as a traditional institution, but it’s not a static feature in our society. Legally and socially, it’s still the most widely accepted way for couples to make their status official. However, law and society have seen massive shifts even in the last few decades. Looking at this through a legal and social lens is essential.  When we talk about flexible roles in marriages, we aren’t just talking about the dynamic […]

Dr. Dana McNeil, the Founder of The Relationship Place, answers the question, “Can I do the Gottman Method on my own?” While it is possible to get the book and do the Gottman Method yourself, it can be difficult to stick with it. Having a therapist or counselor who can guide you on how to put it into practice, explain the reality of it, and show what it looks like in real life will benefit

Dana McNeil, the Founder of The Relationship Place, explains why you should look for a couple’s therapist instead of an individual therapist. Somebody who is a couple’s therapist has different tools and approaches than somebody who is an individual therapist. Therapists for individuals support you, mirror back what you’re feeling, and ultimately help you figure out the answer you’ve had all along. Somebody who is a couple’s therapist is trained to be a neutral party.

Before your wedding day, you need to find time to talk about things that will be crucial to your married life. Many couples get married thinking they know everything about each other, but some topics may only come up years after tying the knot. Talking through them beforehand is the key to maintaining an emotional bond long-term. Dr. John Gottman lists 7 principles for a happy marriage and the discussions below help partners connect through

It doesn’t matter if you’re married to your soulmate or your best friend. You may be happy and in love with your spouse, but conflicts will always be an inevitable part of marriage. Conflicts may be normal and unavoidable, but there are ways to deal with them. How you handle these conflicts can make or break your relationship. Communicating and compromising are two key skills needed, but in reality, it’s easier said than done. Good

For many people, couples therapy is important for developing healthy relationships with loved ones. While so much of the conversation centers around resolving existing troubles, it’s not always prescriptive, especially in same sex couples therapy. Couples therapy can be a proactive way to build a better connection before issues come up. It can equip partners with the tools to deal with future conflict the right way. Indeed, the Gottman method focuses on teaching the skills

For many couples, starting relationship counseling can be the hardest part of the whole process. There’s a lot of conflicting information that can make the research phase intimidating. Luckily, we’re here to help.  In this guide, we’ll go through all the details you need to find the best support for your relationship. We’ll break down the questions couples need to ask each other and themselves, what to expect when sitting down with a therapist, and

Conflicts can help us gauge the health of a relationship. Note that the presence of conflict isn’t a fatal sign on its own. We can learn more from how couples deal with conflict, and how partners treat each other as individuals.  Exercising good communication skills with your partner is necessary to keep a strong and healthy relationship. This also helps determine if an argument pulls a couple apart or brings them closer together. That’s why

Lockdowns have caused people to stay at home longer than usual. While it did bring couples together physically, it may have also caused mental, emotional, and sometimes, physical stress to their relationship. Good thing couple’s therapy can now happen online. While the pandemic limited face-to-face interactions, everybody turned to virtual therapy and found the next best alternative. But when everything is slowly getting back to normal, should you also get back to your therapist’s office

Despite the happily ever after trope popularized in media, a happy, healthy marriage isn’t one devoid of conflict. Instead, partners continue to bond by solving problems together while respecting each other as individuals. Doing this involves communication, empathy, trust, openness, and a willingness to be proactive. When we discuss the reasons behind failed marriages, it can be tempting to look at big one-time events. These can certainly be dealbreakers, but some issues are more subtle.