If you spent your childhood walking on eggshells, managing a parent’s moods, or feeling like your family was fundamentally different from everyone else’s, the traits you developed to survive that environment didn’t disappear when you grew up. This article, written by David Lechnyr, LCSW and Certified Gottman Therapist, explains the most common patterns that develop in adults raised in chaotic or emotionally unsafe households, and why recognizing them is the first step toward change.
The Power Paradox: Why Accepting Your Partner’s Influence Strengthens Your Relationship
What Is Accepting Influence in Relationships? Accepting influence means finding common ground with your partner and saying yes to their ideas, even when you only agree with part of what they’re saying. The Gottman Institute’s … [Read more]
When Your Partner Can’t Hear You Anymore: The Hidden Pattern Destroying Conversations
Three hours. That’s how long Sarah found herself trapped in the same argument with her husband on a Tuesday night. She’d launched into explaining her frustration about their weekend plans, and somehow they’d spiraled into … [Read more]
How to Make Your Partner Feel Loved: A Gottman Method Exercise for Building Fondness and Admiration
Most couples know what makes them feel criticized or dismissed by their partner. You can probably rattle off a list without even thinking about it. But here’s what’s interesting: When I ask couples to tell … [Read more]
Important Business Books for Therapists
Starting up a private practice as a counselor or therapist can be overwhelming, intimidating, and often a huge financial risk. Taking steps to mitigate the dangers involved demands approaching things from a business perspective. The dilemma is that this is the anthesis of what we consider a genuine therapist should be. Finding a way to blend business skills with the therapist mindset and ethics is the key.