Summer Vacation as a Litmus Test
Summer Vacation as a Litmus Test: How to Communicate your way to a great vacation! By: Ingrid Jacob-Hicks, M.A. MFT Intern Putting all routine aside, you decide it’s time for a break and to spend time with your family. Great idea - sounds simple, right?...
Love Lessons from the Bachelorette: This Can’t be Love?
Love Lessons from the Bachelorette: This Can't be Love? By Dr. Bonnie Kennan, MFT Come on, admit it. You watched it, I know you did. This confession comes out in the privacy of my therapy office more than you can imagine: On Monday night you curled up in...
How To Succeed At Last-Ditch Couples Therapy (With Really Trying, But Trying Effectively)
How To Succeed At Last-Ditch Couples Therapy (With Really Trying, But Trying Effectively) By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT Another relationship bites the dust. It is an occupational hazard for a couples therapist, sad, nonetheless. Despite my best efforts to help...
HOW DOES JOHN GOTTMAN PREDICT DIVORCE?
HOW DOES JOHN GOTTMAN PREDICT DIVORCE? By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT Do you recognize any of these warning signs that your relationship might need some work? The First Sign: Harsh Startup 96% of the time you can predict the outcome of a...
Ten Fool Proof Ways To Fail in Couples Therapy
Ten Fool Proof Ways To Fail in Couples Therapy By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT Only come to therapy in CRISIS or six years after your relationship has gone sour. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal in couple's therapy is to prove that you are right and your...
Save Valentine’s Day By Putting On Your Rose-Colored Glasses
Save Valentine's Day By Putting On Your Rose-Colored Glasses By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT Are you avoiding Hallmark stores this time of year? Do you cringe, then quickly change the channel, when the Pajama-gram ads air? Are you secretly hoping...
Love Lessons From The Political Season
Love Lessons From The Political Season By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT I would love to be a fly on the wall when Democratic strategist James Carville, and his wife, Mary Matalin (Republican commentator) end their day. No, I am not talking about their sex...
What I Learned About Couples Counseling From My Zumba Teacher
What I Learned About Couples Counseling From My Zumba Teacher By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT It was a cruel Monday morning after a weekend of excess that I decided to mix it up at the gym: No mind-numbingly dull treadmill while watching Matt Lauer and crew...
5 Ways To Step Out Of Your Dysfunctional Relationship Dance Today
5 Ways To Step Out Of Your Dysfunctional Relationship By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT We all have predictable ways of behaving in relationships. Couples have the same fight over and over again. For that matter, they have the same kinds of healthy...
Emotional Responsiveness
Emotional Responsiveness By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT Are you there for me? Do you understand me? Do you care about how I feel and what I need? Saavy couples understand that to have a great relationship, each partner has to take time and energy to...
Couples Therapist: Frequently Asked Questions
Couples Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions By Dr. Bonnie Ray Kennan, MFT How do I find a good couples therapist? A skilled couples therapist will help you to interrupt your painful and destructive patterns and replace them with effective ways of interacting....