By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Forgiving others and yourself is infinitely terrifying yet necessary for achieving healthy relationships. It’s about being willing to acknowledge that you are capable of b...

By Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT Narcissistic entitlement is the foremost trait people close to a narcissist complain about. Examples are someone who behaves like the normal rules don’t apply to them—someo...

Financial infidelity can be as harmful to your relationship as other kinds of betrayal. Are there secrets about money in your relationship?

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Dear Terry, I’ve been married to Bruce for eight years and I’m worried because we’ve lost the passion and excitement we used to have. It seems like there’s something missi...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Dear Terry, I’m a fan of your blogs and have come to the conclusion that my husband of fifteen years and I are at a stalemate. Honestly, he’s a great guy but we just have ...

By Terry Gaspard MSW, LICSW Many of the couples I counsel find that they fall into cyclical and unhealthy patterns when conflict arises. Fights occur and reoccur that concern the same issues, and ofte...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW In a recent article for The Gottman Institute’s website, couples therapist Kyle Benson tackles an all-too-common source of conflict for couples. The article, “Head vs. Hea...

By Rosalind Sedacca, CCT I received the following question which poses many challenges related to divorce and parenting. While there is never a one-size-fits-all answer to relationship questions, I’m ...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW The most common complaint of couples today is that they’ve fallen out of love. However, falling out of love usually doesn’t occur overnight. Likewise, relationship repair ...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Recently, I received the following e-mail from Haley, a 32 year old woman who is in a great deal of emotional pain and turmoil in her marriage with Eric, who she fears is ...

10 tips to rekindle passion in your marriage based on the most common reasons couples lose their passion and stop being intimate

Infidelity is all too common and when it occurs it raises many questions. Should you stay? Can trust be rebuilt?

By Rosalind Sedacca, CCT Being a divorced Dad can be one of the most frustrating experiences any parent will ever face. For many it seems like a can’t-win situation. You find that you’re constantly tr...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Do you fear that if you tie the knot, your marriage will end in divorce like your parents did? If you are worried about the future of your relationship, you are not alone....

By Terry Gaspard, LICSW When people keep secrets from their partner they often rationalize their behavior to themselves and others.  Usually, they lack confidence in their ability to confront unpleasa...

We’ve all been there: embroiled in an argument with our partner, caught up in emotion, and perhaps most crucially, unsure of how something seemingly small escalated. The touchy topic of who’s “right” ...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Let’s be honest, a divorce can shake your foundation and make you question your own judgment. You might find yourself second-guessing yourself because the breakup of a mar...

As the stepparent in the family, you can earn your stepchild's trust. Learn how to define the relationship and build emotional safety over time.

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Building Resiliency in Children After Divorce Part 3: Children’s Adjustment To Parental Divorce: The Role Of Conflict How do I build resiliency in my children? I hear this question every time I lecture to parents or go on radio shows. For the most part, when parents’ split up, they feel […]

By Darlene Lancer, JD, LMFT Relationships offer a path to heal our trauma through divine alchemy. Alchemy is the ancient mystical art of transmuting base metals into gold, and is a metaphor for intimate relationships. Divine alchemy refers to the transformation of unconscious emotional material, often associated with trauma—pain, conflict, shame, fear, and unmet needs—into […]

By Terry Gaspard MSW, LICSW You will disagree with your partner, that’s a given. But it’s not arguing with your partner that’s the problem, it’s how your differences are managed. Spending more time listening than talking in conversations with him or her is a good first step. Oftentimes, during conflict, you might be trying hard […]

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Dear Terry, My parents divorced when I was nine years old. When I was young, I was Daddy’s Little Girl, and never far from his side. I have fond memories of my dad taking ...

By Terry Gaspard, LICSW When people keep secrets from their partner they often rationalize their behavior to themselves and others.  Usually, they lack confidence in their ability to confront unpleasa...

Intimacy is an important source of comfort and provides predictability in an uncertain world. It’s important for you keep your marriage in perspective.

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW  The cornerstone of a successful intimate relationship is trust – and betrayal can capsize a couple’s sense of safety and security in no time. The media tends to portray b...

From how you communicate to your attachment styles, your past has a bigger impact on your present relationship than you think.

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Getting involved in a rebound relationship is a risky proposition. If you’re feeling lonely after a divorce, it’s easy to fall for someone before you’re truly ready to beg...

As a separate individual with healthy boundaries, you show other people the same respect. You have no need for other people to agree with you, and you don’t bother to show them you’re right and they’r...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW While all couples need autonomy and closeness, many couples struggle with the pursuer-distancer dance and feel chronically dissatisfied with their degree of intimacy. A pr...

To many parents seeking divorce, the final divorce decree can be a very welcome relief from stress and anxiety. The divorce process often emphasizes tension between spouses, and the hassle of attendin...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW From the time I started dating at age sixteen, I’ve often found myself attracted to my polar opposite – for better and for worse. Likewise, I’ve counseled many couples who...

Learning how to give and accept apologies are an essential ingredient of a strong, healthy marriage. Accepting that you and your mate do the best you can will help you be more understanding. This does...

We’ve all been there: embroiled in an argument with our partner, caught up in emotion, and perhaps most crucially, unsure of how something seemingly small escalated. The touchy topic of who’s “right” ...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW  The cornerstone of a successful intimate relationship is trust – and betrayal can capsize a couple’s sense of safety and security in no time. The media tends to portray b...

By Rosalind Sedacca, CCT I received the following question which poses many challenges related to divorce and parenting. While there is never a one-size-fits-all answer to relationship questions, I’m ...

By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Infidelity is all too common and when it occurs it raises many questions. Should you stay? Can trust be rebuilt? Of all of the real-life stories of women interviewed for m...

By Terry Gaspard, LICSW One of the biggest problems with ongoing resentment in post-divorce relationships is that it often leads to withdrawal and poor communication. And if you’re bottling up feeling...

By Guest Blogger Keri Kettle   Let’s be honest, dating after divorce can be weird and awkward. Most likely it’s been a very long time since you’ve been on a first date and dating as an adult, especial...