Embracing Radical Listening for Emotional Repair in Relationships
A Therapist’s Guide to Deep Listening and Lasting Connection
If you’ve ever tried to say, “I’m sorry, but…” — you already know how that sentence ends.
It doesn’t land.… Read the rest
Continue readingYou’ve raised them with love, taught them everything you could, and now they’re ready to leave the nest… so why does it feel like you’re the one unraveling?
If you’ve ever stood in the hallway after dropping your teenager at college or watched them drive off to their first job … Read the rest
Continue readingHave you ever felt a quiet ache when your partner reaches for you—and all you want is space?
Or maybe you’re the one reaching out. Are you wondering why your partner doesn’t meet you there anymore?
If you’re sitting with the tension of mismatched desire, let’s pause here together.
This … Read the rest
Continue readingWe talk a lot about love, passion, communication. But not nearly enough about the quiet force that holds it all together: reliability.
In any intimate relationship, reliability isn’t just a bonus. It’s the bedrock. It builds emotional safety, strengthens trust in couples, and creates the kind of … Read the rest
Continue readingIt usually doesn’t happen all at once.
You stop reaching for each other in the morning. You skip the kiss goodbye. You start talking more about schedules and tasks than anything meaningful. You sit side by side on the couch, but you haven’t actually touched in days.
Somewhere in the … Read the rest
Continue readingWhat happens when your relationship starts to feel like a crowd of three—you, your partner, and their depression?
You’re not imagining it. When your partner has depression, it can start to feel like the relationship is no longer just between two people. The joy that once floated effortlessly between you … Read the rest
Continue readingsaLet’s be real: relationships aren’t easy.
Even when the love is strong, navigating two nervous systems, two life histories, and two sets of needs? It’s a full-time dance — and sometimes a collision. That’s why I believe every couple (and every individual in a couple) needs to slow down from … Read the rest
You’re not wrong for feeling like you and your partner just… miss each other in conversation. You talk—but don’t feel heard. You listen—but somehow still feel miles apart. Over time, what started as small misfires can solidify into stuck patterns: avoidance, defensiveness, reactivity, or silent distance.
Communication in relationships … Read the rest
Continue readingInfidelity isn’t just a break in the relationship—it’s a break in reality.
If you’ve been betrayed by someone you loved and trusted most, you know this already. It doesn’t just hurt—it disorients. The floor drops out from under you, and suddenly, nothing feels safe. The rules you believed in, … Read the rest
Marriage can be a beautiful place of growth—but when you’re caught in the same fight over and over, it can feel more like emotional Groundhog Day.
If you’ve ever thought, “Didn’t we already have this fight… yesterday?”—you’re not alone. So many couples find themselves trapped in a looping conflict, … Read the rest
Understanding conflict-avoidant dishonesty, nervous system survival, and the slow path back to truth
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to upset you.”
“It wasn’t a big deal—I didn’t think I needed to say anything.”
“I just didn’t want to fight.”
These are some of the most common forms … Read the rest
Continue readingby Katherine Jewett, LMFT
Ever catch yourself in a power struggle with a pint-sized human and think, “Who is this control freak, and why does she look suspiciously like me?” If so, congratulations—you’re officially human! And believe it or not, the culprit behind your mini meltdowns over mismatched socks and … Read the rest
Continue readingby Katherine Jewett, LMFT
Gaslighting is a subtle yet deeply damaging form of emotional manipulation that can make you question your own thoughts, feelings, and even reality. If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing your memories, wondering if you’re “too sensitive,” or feeling like you’re always the one to blame, you … Read the rest
Continue readingRelationships are the bedrock of our lives, offering love, support, and connection. But what happens when one partner is struggling with depression? It can feel like a whirlwind of emotions—loneliness, fear, frustration, and helplessness. If you or your partner are going through something similar, know that you’re not alone. Many … Read the rest
Continue readingWe’ve all been there—caught in an argument where emotions escalate, and suddenly, the conversation shifts from solving the problem to pointing fingers. “You never listen!” “You always forget!” “This is your fault!” When the focus turns to assigning blame, couples … Read the rest
Continue readingConflict is an inevitable part of any marriage. Two people, each with their own needs, values, and perspectives, are bound to disagree at times. While it may seem easier to avoid conflict and “keep the peace,” doing so can come with hidden costs that gradually erode the foundation of a … Read the rest
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Relationships are the cornerstone of our emotional well-being, yet they can also be a source of frustration and pain when we feel disconnected from our partners. Emotional disconnect often sneaks up on couples, manifesting as a pattern of one partner over-functioning while the other withdraws. This dynamic can leave … Read the rest
Continue readingIn our fast-paced world, where stressors seem to come from every direction, it’s no wonder many of us find ourselves slipping into fight-flight mode, especially in our closest relationships. These moments of heightened tension can often lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional disconnection. But what if there was a way … Read the rest
Continue readingIn a world that often moves too fast, where digital pings outnumber real moments of presence, the simple act of touch can feel like a lost language. But your body still remembers. The nervous system doesn’t forget what it’s like to be held, to be comforted, to feel safe in … Read the rest
Continue readingChildhood Isn’t Always a Soft Landing
Childhood is often imagined as a season of softness—sticky fingers, scraped knees, and wide-eyed wonder. But what happens when the story is different? When your nervous system learned to brace instead of trust? When connection was paired with confusion or pain?
If you’re nodding … Read the rest
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