Codependency Leads to Unhealthy Relationships – Part 2
Last week, we began a discussion of the challenges of difficult relationships: relationships in which it seems hard to express who we are and what we need, without the other becoming offended. Some individuals...
Emotional Blackmail
Many people are victims of emotional blackmail and do not even realize it. Emotional blackmail is when others try to hold us responsible for how they will feel if we do not do what...
Escaping the Trap of Codependency
In some relationships seems hard to express who we are and what we need, without the other becoming offended. Some individuals are what we call ‘co-dependent', meaning that they hold others responsible for their...
Finances and Marital Stress
"What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility ." ~ George Levinger
Financial issues can be one of the major stressors in...
Happiness in Relationships
“Don't wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you've got to make yourself.” ~ Alice Walker
Do you expect your partner to make you happy? If you do,...
Hiding Abuse
Naturally, in my work I hear many stories of abusive relationships. I am familiar with many of the dynamics that operate in such situations.
One of these, which is somewhat puzzling, is the extent to...
If You Really Loved Me
"Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you." ~ Dr. Joyce Brothers
Sometimes in love relationships a comment is made that begins...
Physical Abuse – Anger Can Have Serious Consequences
"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame." ~ Benjamin Franklin
There was a time when it was common practice to spank children. Domestic violence also occurred, but was kept hidden. Times have changed, and...
Relationship Red Flags
If your female partner is harassing you, it could be a good thing. If she complains that she does not see enough of you, wants to spend more time with you, wants better communication,...
Rescue Yourself From Abusive Relationships
When is enough enough? Life can be difficult sometimes, especially when things happen over which we have little or no control. Sometimes though, the biggest stresses in one's life may come from exactly the...