Brandon Coussens, LMFT 
In today’s tech-saturated world, staying connected is easy, but staying “present” is harder than ever. Are you finding this true for you and your loved ones? Think about it! We carry our lives in our pockets. With one tap, we can scroll through headlines, texts, social media, and work emails—all while sitting right next to … Read more
As discussed in our previous article on what boundaries are, they play a key role in any relationship, whether in parenting, friendships, or marriage. In marriage specifically, boundaries serve as guidelines that help both partners understand what’s acceptable, what’s needed, and what direction the relationship is heading. One of the foundational elements of setting boundaries … Read more
In the mental health profession, we often talk about setting boundaries—whether in our interpersonal relationships, in how we relate to ourselves, or in the expectations we hold. But before we can set boundaries, we have to understand what they are and why they matter.
Over the past few months, I’ve been paying closer attention to my digital life and how I spend my time. What I’ve found is that certain platforms are consuming my energy and attention, but not giving much in return. They haven’t led to meaningful results, deeper creativity, or healthier relationships.
Life can get busy. After marriage, many things can happen. Unexpected things! Sometimes it’s self-inflicted. Other times life just throws us curve balls. It shouldn’t really be a surprise when a marriage gets stale or stuck. However, as counselors, we have so many couples come to us because of this problem. It makes us wonder why many more aren’t coming because, from my experience and understanding, lots of couples struggle with a lack of intimacy, affection, or the dreaded roommate paralysis.
In our previous post, “New Year, New Hope: Goal Setting for a Stronger Marriage,” we discussed how setting goals as a couple can breathe new life into your relationship. Now, we’re diving even deeper with additional tips and strategies to help you maintain momentum and create lasting change throughout the year. Let’s explore three more ways to strengthen your bond and keep the spirit of renewal alive in your partnership.
January is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and reassess your goals for the year ahead as a couple. Some years are filled with joy and ease, while others require persistence and growth through challenges. Regardless of the season, as Christians, we have the ability to overcome habits and actions that no longer serve us and embrace new behaviors that lead to a flourishing relationship.
The holidays are often painted as the most wonderful time of the year, filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness. But let’s be honest: they can also bring stress, tension, and uncomfortable moments—especially when navigating family dynamics.
It is not uncommon for me to remind clients during sessions that love is more than an emotion we feel, but also a choice we make daily and an action. Love is an emotion we feel powered by connection. Love is a choice we make each morning when we wake up, and actively throughout the day. Love is the way we show affection to our partner. Love is such a deep concept. I was reading, A Roadmap for Couple Therapy, in some of my downtime, and in chapter 3 the quote above really stuck out to me. Let’s break this down and explore it together, shall we?
Are you someone who likes to hold hands, give or receive hugs, or just be close to people physically? We each have different preferences in how we feel loved. Sometimes we give love differently from how we receive it. When it comes to the love language of physical touch, people can have different views of what this looks like. Many might think of physical touch primarily for intimacy, but it’s much more than that. It’s a great way to show your “nearness,” “I’m thinking of you,” and “I like you.” A simple touch of the hand or even just being close can make your partner feel more safe, secure, and connected to you.
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