Just how well do we read our intimate partners? As long as we’re composed, we’re generally pretty good at it. But whenever our threat emotions (i.e. anxiety and anger) are triggered, accuracy goes right out the window.
Emotion-driven misinterpretations spell trouble for relationships. They lead to escalating accusations, disappearing trust and constricting hearts. If only we could recognize how emotions shape perceptions, we could restore close connections with our partner. That’s the aim of this primer.
A recent YourTango Experts survey reveals the truth behind 12 relationship myths.
YourTango Experts tell us what's true and false when it comes to sex, love and therapy.
Surprisingly, the number one thing couples seek therapy for—and break up over—isn't something as juicy as an unsatisfying sex life, money battles or infidelity. It's communication. Specifically, the breakdown of it. In other words, learning how to communicate with your partner could be the best thing you ever learn how to do.
Therapists shatter relationship myths. Plus: a surprising benefit of couples counseling!
A recent survey of counseling professionals from YourTango.com—the leader in love and relationships—has dispelled some long-held myths about relationships, namely that couples fight primarily about sex and money (or the lacks therof), and that infidelity is more toxic to a relationship than any other issue.
Is your happily ever after slipping away from you?
The myths we tell each other about marriage have very little to do with actual reality.
"Why didn't someone tell me it was going to be so hard? I thought that after we were married things would settle down and we could just be happy together! How come we just fight—and our fights go around in circles and we never solve anything? I am not even sure I should have gotten married in the first place!"
What is R.E.B.T. and how can it be key to saving your marriage?
R.E.B.T. is based upon the idea that we feel the way we think, thus if we can change the way we think about events in our life, we can also change the way we feel. R.E.B.T. can be particularly helpful in strengthening relationships. It is a fairly simple concept that contains the letters A-B-C-D. Here is how it works!
Many divorcing couples are under the illusion they had a real marriage. I propose this is false.
How can you end a marriage that never was.
Published June 11, 2010 | By Bruce Derman
How can you end a marriage that never was.
BY Bruce Derman, Ph.D.
When looking at divorce, we tend to make several assumptions. We assume that the relationship in question didn’t work out for various reasons. Frequently, we see one more at fault that the other. In addition, we may all agree that the relationship needs to be dissolved as quickly as possible and the two partners need to move on to a new life.
Exercise your communication skills to keep it together for the long haul!
Couples who can handle common challenges have more resilient unions and are less likely to end.
The average wedding in the U.S. costs around $30,000. You would think that such an extravagant ceremony would reflect a high level of commitment among married couples. Yet, roughly 50% of marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. That divorce rate rises even more sharply with second marriages. While these sobering statistics may make it seem like the success or failure of your marriage is just a very expensive coin toss, there are concrete reasons why some marriages make it while others fail, and what's more: there are things that you as a couple can do to improve your odds.
Breakup expert and author Rachel Sussman on the importance of honest communication before marriage
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries‘ fairytale wedding may not end happily ever after, according to numerous reports. The LA Times says that Kim has filed for divorce – just 72 days after marriage.
Find out what to do if you're a bit bored but not miserable in your marriage.
If you're not in a semi-happy marriage yourself, chances are you've seen one or know one intimately because the term describes a large number of marriages today. Semi-happy couples should be happy—on paper. If only they could live their marriages on paper instead of in real life! The semi-happy marriage is not bad enough to leave, but not good enough to fulfill. I conducted a survey for my book, Marriage Confidential, and found that 30 percent agreed that "most marriages I see around me aren't really happy or unhappy." 40 percent agreed, "most marriages that I see aren't really that happy."
What you and your partner can do to make the most of couples therapy.
What can you do to improve the chances that couples therapy is worth the time and money you put into it? In other words, what makes marriage counseling work? Of course you need the help of a skilled marriage therapist, but there are several things you can do to help make your marriage counseling a success.
![Are You In A Semi-Happy Marriage? [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/couplecommunicationproblem_1.jpg "Are You In A Semi-Happy Marriage? [EXPERT]")
