Relationship Work: The Hidden Burden of Understanding
The Relationship Work No One Talks About A therapist’s reflection on hermeneutic labor, emotional exhaustion, and the hidden burden of understanding. There is a particular kind of exhaustion that does not come from work, parenting, …
Everyday Conflicts: Why You’re (Still) Fighting About the Dishes
Everyday Conflicts: Why You’re (Still) Fighting About the Dishes You’re in the kitchen. One of you sighs loudly while loading the dishwasher. The other snaps, “If it bothers you that much, just say something.” And …
The Mind-Reading Trap
The Mind-Reading Trap Your Partner Can’t Know What You’re Thinking (and That’s Okay) Have you ever expected your partner to know what you need without saying it out loud, then felt hurt when they didn’t …
Caring Days: The first step to saving your relationship
There comes a time in every relationship when exchanges between partners become increasingly negative. Conflict and avoidance both increase, and this can lead to feeling trapped, unhappy and more like roommates than romantic partners. Each …
What is Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria?
What is rejection sensitivity dysphoria, and how does it show up in relationships? For individuals with ADHD or ADD, rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD) manifests as an intense emotional sensitivity and response triggered by the perception of …
Love Laboratory
Way back in the 1980s, mathematician and psychologist Dr. John Gottman persuaded the fine folk at the University of Washington to build a little apartment. A little place in the woods where couples could stay …
