by Jeffrey Reining | published May 18, 2018 | Children, Communication, Parenting
One thing I do almost every morning is to scan the “stories to read” feed on my smart-phone. I enjoy having quick access to my favorite news sites that cover a broad spectrum of political opinions, psychological topics, and the fluff I read for...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Jan 29, 2018 | Communication, Families, Sexuality
There is no perfect way for a person to come out to intolerant parents. This conversation certainly can be one of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. But it is common to feel relief afterward. Even when it doesn’t go so well at first.
by Ellen Fix | published Dec 20, 2017 | Communication, Families
Are you hosting a family gathering over the holidays? Is your excitement mixed with a bit of dread over the possibility of the event not going so well? Get togethers like these can certainly be both wonderful and highly stressful — all at the same time! So, how will...
by Kelsey Nimmo | published Jun 16, 2017 | Better Sex Series, Communication, Couples, Sexuality
Part of the Better Sex Series We read article after article. We talk to our friends, our coworkers, our therapist. We download apps and purchase games. We shop for outfits. We want to know how to be more attractive, more appealing, more sexy. We want our partner to...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Mar 12, 2015 | Communication, Couples, Families, Stress Management
The truth about conflict avoidance is that it is not honest. In order to avoid conflict a person must essentially lie. They say “Yes” when they really mean “No.” They say “No” when they really mean “Yes.” They leave something out of what they are saying because they...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Feb 27, 2015 | Communication, Couples, Families, Stress Management
We all know that disagreements between partners are common. Whether they are big issues or little issues the potential for disagreement is a common part of any couple trying to work together or get along. When a potential disagreement arises we always have a choice to...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Feb 12, 2015 | Communication, Couples, Families, Stress Management
Most couples coming into therapy identify “communication” as the main issue that caused them to call. We’re so used to the word that we forget what a complicated and fragile thing communication is. Because so many factors create communication, there are just as many...
by Dave Thornsen, PsyD | published Nov 19, 2014 | Communication, Couples, Families
People often seem shocked when I tell them that all couples can benefit from counseling. I think that response comes from the idea that marriage counseling is only for helping couples get through a crisis. It’s not. The research has shown us that couples tend to make...
by Rosalyn Baker | published Jan 14, 2014 | Children, Communication, Families, Mental Health, Parenting
Teenagers fall in love, and they make love. They smoke pot and cigarettes. They drink alcohol. And most of this is behind their parents backs because they’ve been warned, “You better never…” When parents communicate with threats, the message translates to, “You better...
