All couples have their rough moments. Fights, missteps, and miscommunications will happen. It is unrealistic for our relationships to be blissful 100 percent of the time. Yet, some relationships dip into the negative too often. This can have both partners experience high stress which is not good for the relationship or personal wellbeing. Keep reading to shift out of negative patterns and into positive ones. ​

Marriage and Family Therapists are trained to bolster a client's sense of agency. We immerse in the art and science of holding space and asking important questions with the purpose of helping our clients improve their lives and relationships. We tend to carry deep acceptance no matter what it is that is being shared and steer clear of advice giving. ​

People talk about searching for their soulmate and twin flame. Or finding that one special person they are meant to be with, who is ultra compatible, and ultimately, “the one”. On an spiritual level, I see why it may be important for two particular people to come together. I like to believe that my partner and I have come together for a reason far greater than ourselves. My partner and I like to talk about our soul mate essence. ​

When couples first meet, generally they have as much sex as they can. From an evolutionary perspective, humans are wired to find a partner, mate, and raise offspring. High interest at the start of a relationship creates a positive feedback loop in which sex releases good feeling brain chemicals. This promotes bonding and a desire to have even more sex. All of this serves to keep our species alive.

​​I was 20 years old when I attended yoga teacher training. I stepped into training with eagerness and joy. I had replaced my dream of being a professional surfer with a new dream of facilitating wellness and healing. ​

So much connection can happen during sex: it feels great, happy brain chemicals are released, and healing skin to skin contact occurs. For highly attuned couples, sex becomes a potent exchange of mind, body, and spirit which creates bonding and the experience of oneness. This is good stuff I tell you!

At the start of a relationship, most couples show up with their best self forward. During the infatuation phase, we rarely see flaws in our partner. Happy brain chemical release has us buzzing around in a minor state of bliss for the first one to two years of being in a new relationship

When looking at relationships, I view struggle as part of the relational process that can lead to immense growth. Staying together, and working through the hard times when you really want to leave, is part of what can make a beautiful and lasting love. ​

What happens when one partner wants sex and his wife or long term lover is rarely in the mood? A healthy sex life is part of what makes up a thriving relationship and general feelings of well-being. When one or both partners are feeling unsatisfied in this area, this can trigger the beginning of a downward spiral that does not end up very well. ​

If you are facing challenges in your relationship, it would be logical that you would want to work on your relationship. But what do you do if your spouse is not interested in working through the problems you are having in your marriage?

Last year I took on small job working as a writer for an motivational speaker. During that time, I scoured articles on what makes the successful, a success. While reading, I noticed a theme that was echoed by CEO executives, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and personal development coaches. "Fail forward" is their mantra and one they repeat with consistency.

What exactly does trust mean? Does it mean that you know your partner won’t cheat on you? Or that you know your partner will tell the truth? True trust creates space and freedom. If you are having a difficult time trusting your partner, keep reading. ​

Dr. John Gottman, author of "What Makes Love Last" has observed thousands of couples in his infamous "Love Lab". Gottman discovered that the happiest couples consistently turn toward each other through out their time together. This is true in a physical way as well as in an emotional way. ​