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Marriage researcher John Gottman has found that couples who get their tough conversations off to a gentle start up have greater success resolving conflicts.   Leading with anger, using a hostile tone in opening lines, a raised voice, disapproving looks, and body language that communicates disdain or contempt is likely to trigger hurt, fear and defensiveness.  …

10 Relationship Building Tips to Approach Your Partner With a Grievance or Complaint Read More »

About 6 months ago I started a business with a long-time and much respected colleague.  Things started off with a huge bang!  We got three major clients immediately and everything had been going great until last week. I thought I was doing my share and felt proud of my contribution but my partner blew up …

Tensions rising between business partners Read More »

What stops me from being able to love? I’m single and 35 years old and never have a problem finding people to date.  The problem is that after a few months all my relationships fall apart no matter how great they are at the start.  My most recent relationship ended after 3 months and it …

What stops me from being able to love? Read More »

Does my boredom with my life and my interest in a co-worker mean my marriage is in trouble? I’ve been married for 12 years to a great guy.  We have a lovely home.  We both have satisfying careers and our two little daughters are healthy, sweet and happy.  To everyone looking at our life, things …

Flirting with a co-worker? Read More »

 How do I know if I have an eating disorder?  My best friend just told me that she thinks I have an eating disorder.  We were out to lunch and I asked the waiter if some calorie saving modifications could be made to a menu item that appealed to me.  The waiter wasn’t bothered by …

How do I know if I have an eating disorder? Read More »

I recently was promoted to a senior management position at a large bank.  While I’m very excited about this opportunity, I’ve been feeling very anxious to the point of insomnia.  I think about work all the time and have been endlessly replaying interactions with colleagues, second-guessing myself and fearing that I’ve handled things poorly.  I’m …

Executive Anxiety Read More »

I grew up in a home with very controlling parents who gave me very little freedom.  As an adult I now have a difficult time making decisions on my own and often ask my friends and family for their opinions about everything from clothing choices to home decorating to whether or not I should accept …

Making Choices Read More »

I make the same promise to myself all the time and never follow through. That is to exercise more, eat less, lose weight. Every year my weight goes up and I can’t seem to change the bad eating habits that keep me stuck in the same big fat place year after year after year. I …

Please, No More Diets! Read More »

My wife can’t tear herself away from the news and it’s creating some real conflict in our marriage. Fortunately, we’re both on the same side of the political divide but my wife seems obsessed with hearing and reading every news report and every journalist’s take on the most recent tweets and executive orders. All this …

Information Overload Read More »

I just got the job of my dreams as a graphic designer for a large advertising firm. Not only do I enjoy the work itself, the pay is great and I have great benefits including generous paid time off. The only problem is that I’m the only woman on the team and somewhat younger than …

Balancing Friendly at Work Read More »