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gray divorce and late life marriage

Navigating Gray Divorce And Challenges In Late-Life Marriage

Aging /

Years of shared history, familial connections, and built assets suddenly divided into two separate paths. In recent years, gray divorce rate — or couples parting ways after decades of marriage — has been rising at a surprising rate. But what happens when you decide to give love another chance? After a gray divorce, entering a new marriage can feel like entering an entirely different world. Communication in these late-life marriages is often complex, influenced by past wounds, […]

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exploring consensual non-monogamy multiple couples having fun

Exploring Consensual Non-Monogamy: Pros and Cons

Polyamory, Relationship /

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is any relationship in which partners openly agree that they can have romantic or sexual connections with more than one person. It is different from cheating because everyone involved knows and consents. CNM covers several relationship styles, from open relationships and swinging to polyamory, and it works best when partners share clear agreements and communicate often. Many couples explore it with the help of polyamory and open relationship counseling. Remember those first

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people pleasers in relationships

People Pleasers in Relationships: How to Find Balance

Relationship /

People pleasers find balance in a relationship by learning to treat their own needs as just as important as their partner’s: noticing the urge to say yes before they’ve decided, setting clear boundaries, saying what they feel and want even when it risks disagreement, and taking care of themselves so they aren’t giving from an empty tank. People-pleasing means chronically putting others’ needs ahead of your own to keep the peace or win approval. Small,

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active listening in relationships happy couple talking

What Are 5 Ways to Practice Active Listening in Relationships?

Relationship /

To practice active listening with your partner, put your phone away and give them your full attention, use your face and body to show you’re engaged, reflect back what you hear and ask questions when something is unclear, let them finish without interrupting, and respond with understanding before offering advice. Active listening means listening to understand, not to reply, and it’s closely tied to empathy in marriage. Here are five ways to practice it. Imagine

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couple leisure time married couple sitting on the kitchen floor eating

Couple Leisure Time: 5 Signs You’re Doing It Right

Relationship /

Couples should spend their leisure time together in ways that are intentional, focused and fun: time set aside just for the two of you, with phones put away, doing things you both enjoy, from everyday rituals like cooking or a walk to occasional dates and getaways. Research suggests shared leisure helps most when it’s just the two of you and when it leaves you feeling closer, not just side by side. Planning it helps, which

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first things first when to leave or save a relationship dr. dana mcneil

First Things First: When to leave and when to save a relationship – As Seen In – Chattanooga Times Free Press

As Seen In /

All romantic relationships, no matter how healthy, experience seasons of tension, stress, conflict and disconnect. But when do you know your relationship is still worth saving or it’s time to let go? This was further discussed in a First Things First article by Lauren Hall published in Chattanooga Times Free Press, where our founder, Dr. Dana McNeil PsyD, LMFT shared her expertise on the matter. According to her; “The bright side is all couples who

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emotionally unavailable partner

Is Your Partner Emotionally Unavailable? 8 Signs

Relationship /

The signs your partner is emotionally unavailable usually show up as a pattern, not a single bad night: they struggle to share feelings, seem uncomfortable when you share yours, pull away during conflict, rarely apologize, and keep you at arm’s length even when you’re close physically. One distant week is often just a normal rough patch. When the distance lasts for months and you feel lonely while sitting right next to them, it’s worth naming

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Coparenting After Divorce 1 E1686629982316

Parenting as a Team: How To Be A Better Co-Parent After Divorce

Parenting /

Finding yourself a solo parent after the curtain has fallen on your marital partnership can feel like an unexpected plot twist. Each day feels overwhelming, juggling the roles of both mom and dad while trying to nurture your own healing heart. It’s a transition that requires resilience, adaptability, and a whole lot of grace. But what if there is still a way to keep the applause going without carrying the entire show alone through co-parenting?

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navigating open relationships for gay couples

Open Relationships for Gay Couples: 8 Things to Ask Yourself

Polyamory, Relationship /

Gay couples know an open relationship may be right for them when both partners genuinely want it for their own reasons, trust each other, feel secure in their self-worth, can talk honestly about jealousy and can agree on clear ground rules and keep them. If one partner is going along to avoid losing the other, or the relationship is already struggling with trust or communication, opening it up usually makes things harder, not easier. Working

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empathy in marriage

Empathy: The Secret Ingredient for a Thriving Marriage

Relationship /

All of us, without exception, share the same fundamental human need to be heard and understood – particularly by the people we hold dear. We share a need for empathy. Empathy is what makes a difference in a married couple’s life, as it constitutes the foundation for lasting connection and emotional intimacy. Even as conflicts ebb and flow, empathy will ensure that your bedrock remains solid. Explore the benefits of empathy in marriage, and its ability to

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