Conflict Resolution

If your relationship is a little rocky right now, these articles offer many ideas on conflict resolution.

Recognizing that all couples (even those who appear to be perfect for each other) have problems from time to time can be an important ingredient in strengthening your relationship. Why? Because it counters the illusion that an "ideal" couple doesn't have to constantly make adjustments, both minor and major, for the partnership to work.

As any therapist can tell you, every couple who rates their relationship as happy has faced stumbling blocks somewhere along the way. They don't give up

So if your relationship "isn't working," I encourage you, too, not to give up. Remember that everyone contributes to the problems a relationship faces because every individual is flawed in some way. There's not a perfect one among us.

That's why it's important not to wait until your dissatisfaction, distance, conflict and emotional reactions escalate to the point that the only recourse seems to be divorce or an emotional estrangement while living together.

INDEX

Conflicts Are Inevitable

You have to pick your battles carefully

Prioritizing needs in a blended family

Do you tune out anger rather than express hurt?

Exploring the early origins of an argument

Trust and Affairs

The many levels of betrayal

When someone believes they need an affair

Moving beyond affairs to greater intimacy

When friendship outside a relationship is a threat

— — Review of Not "Just Friends"

Using a private detective to catch a cheating spouse

Strengthening Relationships

Can only one person change a relationship?

Fair fighting is lovework

Solution focused brief couple therapy

Healing Through Letting Go

A good-bye ceremony for couples

Letting Go of Our Adult Children: When What We Do is Never Enough (online book)

Tweeners and boomerang kids have all kinds of temperaments — NEW