It’s been a busy few months for me! But I am excited to announce that my family and my practice have moved to the beautiful hamlet of Monsey, New York. We have been getting to know the area and, most importantly, the people. And we are now settled down enough that I am ready to […]
You need to have more positive interactions than negative ones to maintain a happy, stable marriage. That makes sense, right? But what you might not know is how many more positive interactions you need. It’s a lot more. And it turns out that there actually is a magic ratio. Relationship expert John Gottman discovered we […]
When seeking to appreciate your spouse, you may look for the things they have added to your life. Maybe you think about the way your spouse spoils you with good food. Or surprises you with gifts. Perhaps you reflect on the first day you met. Or a meaningful date night. Or you could just appreciate […]
Conflict is a natural, normal part of any relationship. Yes, even happy, healthy ones. This is sometimes hard for people to accept. Many of us grow up believing the myth of “happily ever after.” Two people truly in love, who build a relationship with perfect harmony forevermore with little to no effort. But the reality […]
When you begin a relationship, everything is new and exciting. It is a beautiful time full of discovery and new experiences. You are learning about one another. You might be trying out new hobbies and pastimes that the other person enjoys. You might be going out together to new restaurants, movies, and other special events. […]
It started out with a simple discussion. But right from the beginning, both of you were short with each other. And it just escalated. Then that blowout seemed to lead to another… and another… Now things have gotten so bad, so quickly that you feel like you need a professional to help your relationship. Take […]
Have you ever had a fight with your spouse about some small, inconsequential detail? Maybe you are convinced that a shirt is black – not blue. Or he thinks you ordered coffee the last time you visited a restaurant, and you remember drinking tea. In the middle of the fight, you may even have a […]
It’s far too easy to get stuck in unhealthy patterns. The busy, stressed-out pace of modern life – along with deeply ingrained childhood habits – can trip you and your spouse up. It’s easy to fall into relational ruts when you aren’t engaged in problem-solving. Here are some suggestions for breaking free from toxic patterns […]
What is emotional intimacy? It’s when two partners feel safe sharing their innermost thoughts and emotions with each other. These intimate thoughts are usually kept from the eyes of the outside world, but shared within a close relationship. Emotional intimacy begins when one person takes a risk by sharing themselves. They do so because they […]
I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and blessed holidays! Due to the holidays, I will take a break from my blog, but I’ll be back on October 17th with more tips and ideas about how to strengthen your relationship. Shanah tovah! Sara Freed
