Ava has had a hard day as Director of Nursing in a busy hospital. She changes hats from taking charge in the high paced world of healthcare to being the caretaker of her six and seven year old. She drives from the baby sitter to the train, prepares dinner, helps the kids with homework and [...]

Every time we speak, we choose and use one of four basic communication styles: assertive, aggressive, passive and passive-aggressive. The only healthy communication style is assertive communication. ~ Jim Rohn It’s Saturday morning. Emma and Ian sleep late and then mosey down to the kitchen for their morning coffee. Emma sees Ian’s dirty dishes from [...]

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them. ~ Ralph Nichols Nancy: He won’t tell me what time he is coming home. I can’t believe how inconsiderate he is. Rod: I used to do my best to [...]

Men and women often misinterpret what is being communicated based upon their gender. Here are some of the things we’ve learned about each other from studying gender differences: LORI Before, I thought: He doesn’t want to listen to me; He just keeps telling me what to do; He doesn’t care. Now I think: Solving my [...]

Did you know the way your communication is received by your beloved depends: 7% on the actual words that are spoken; 38% on the way that the words are said, i.e. tone, inflection, volume; 55% on facial expression? (Professor Albert Mehrabian) I know when I first heard this I was truly amazed. Some couples try [...]

When love and sex become one, emotional and erotic intimacy coalesce. We call this “Romantic Fusion.” Fusion occurs when two distinct elements, heated to a very high temperature, gain kinetic energy causing their molecules to accelerate and, ultimately, merge into one unified whole. On Valentine’s Day we celebrate the fusion of love elements: the joining [...]

With Valentine’s Day around the corner it is a good time to ask yourself, “How does my partner want to receive love?” George (to therapist): I don’t feel loved in our relationship. Alyse: You don’t feel loved? How can that be? I always remember to get your favorite ice cream when I food shop; I [...]

Communication Survey Results Relationships Work We recently surveyed our relationship community to find out just why conflict and communication difficulties cause the greatest pain in our relationships. And we wanted to know how we can be of greater service to you in decreasing the struggle to express yourself, be heard and understand your partner. The [...]

The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing others’ loads, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. ~ W. C. Jones And, for us, that is the magic of all the holidays during this season – Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. You can be [...]

Do you plan time for yourself or for your relationship during the holidays? We know, you’re thinking, “Are you serious? With all I have to do: shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, sending cards, baking cookies, decorating?” During the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s pretty common to forget about doing anything for yourself, let alone [...]