As a psychotherapist, I have worked with many couples over the years, and I have seen firsthand what makes for a happy and healthy relationship. While every relationship is different, there are some key ingredients that all happy couples share. Here are the top 5 things necessary for a happy relationship:
If you are struggling in your relationship, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you, including therapy. A therapist can help you to improve your communication skills, resolve conflict, and build a stronger relationship. If you are interested in learning more about therapy, please visit my website or contact me to schedule a consultation. I would be happy to discuss your individual needs and how I can help you create a happy and healthy relationship. Here are some additional tips for maintaining a happy relationship:
If you are a Highly Sensitive Person in a relationship, this book can help you navigate the challenges. The Highly Sensitive Person in Love is a book by Elaine N. Aron that provides practical help for highly sensitive people (HSPs) seeking happier, healthier romantic relationships. The book is based on Aron's groundbreaking research on temperament and intimacy, and it offers a wealth of practical advice on making the most of all personality combinations. The book begins by defining what it means to be an HSP. HSPs are people who are born with a finely tuned nervous system that makes them more sensitive to stimuli in their environment. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can lead to HSPs being more easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, and other sensory input. However, it can also lead to HSPs being more deeply in touch with their emotions, more empathic, and more creative. The book then goes on to discuss the challenges that HSPs face in romantic relationships. HSPs may be more easily overwhelmed by their partner's emotions, more sensitive to criticism, and more likely to feel misunderstood. They may also be more likely to avoid conflict or withdraw from their partner. The book then offers practical advice on how HSPs can overcome these challenges and build healthier, happier relationships. This advice includes:
Here are some additional key points from the book:
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) who is struggling to cope with the challenges of everyday life? If so, you are not alone. Millions of people around the world are HSPs, and they often find that their sensitivity can lead to overwhelm, anxiety, and social isolation.
But there is hope. With the help of a psychotherapist who specializes in working with HSPs, you can learn to understand your sensitivity and use it to your advantage. You can also learn how to manage your emotions, set boundaries, and build healthier relationships. If you are ready to take the next step, I encourage you to contact me today. I am a psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience working with HSPs. I understand the challenges that you face, and I am committed to helping you reach your full potential. Call me today to schedule a free consultation. I look forward to hearing from you. Here are some additional benefits of working with a psychotherapist who specializes in HSPs:
IntroductionCodependency is a complex issue that can severely impact the dynamics of a romantic relationship. It is characterized by an excessive emotional or psychological reliance on a partner, often leading to an unhealthy and unbalanced relationship dynamic. Recognizing the signs of codependency and seeking couples counseling can be instrumental in breaking free from these patterns and fostering healthier, more fulfilling partnerships. In this article, we will explore codependency, its effects on relationships, and how couples counseling can help couples navigate these challenges. Understanding CodependencyCodependency is a behavioral and emotional condition that commonly arises from dysfunctional family dynamics, childhood trauma, or unhealthy attachment styles. Individuals who are codependent often have an intense fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and a strong desire for external validation. This can manifest in several ways, such as excessively focusing on the needs of others, neglecting personal boundaries, and having difficulty expressing one's own needs and desires. Effects of Codependency on RelationshipsCodependency can have a detrimental impact on the health and happiness of a relationship. Some common effects include:
Couples Counseling as a SolutionCouples counseling provides a safe and supportive environment for couples to address the underlying issues contributing to codependency and work towards healthier relationship patterns. Here's how couples counseling can be beneficial:
ConclusionCodependency can be a challenging issue to overcome, but couples counseling offers a pathway to healing and growth. By addressing the underlying causes and learning healthier relationship patterns, couples can break free from the grip of codependency and cultivate a stronger, more fulfilling partnership. Seeking professional help is a courageous step towards building a healthier future together. Remember, change is possible, and with the right support, couples can break free from codependency and create a relationship built on trust, respect, and mutual growth.
IntroductionIn a world that often values toughness and resilience, highly sensitive people (HSPs) often find themselves struggling to navigate their unique emotional landscape. Highly sensitive individuals possess a heightened sensitivity to external stimuli, deep empathy, and intense emotional responses. While this trait can bring forth profound insights and creativity, it can also make daily life overwhelming and exhausting. Psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive environment for highly sensitive individuals to explore and embrace their sensitivity, develop coping strategies, and thrive in a world that can sometimes feel too intense. Understanding Highly Sensitive PeopleHigh sensitivity is not a disorder or a weakness; rather, it is a personality trait found in approximately 15-20% of the population. Dr. Elaine Aron, a pioneer in the field of sensitivity research, coined the term "highly sensitive person" to describe individuals who possess a finely tuned nervous system, resulting in heightened sensitivity to sensory input and emotional experiences. Highly sensitive people often exhibit traits such as deep empathy, a heightened awareness of subtleties, a rich inner world, and an inclination towards reflection and introspection. They may also be more prone to experiencing overwhelm, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion when faced with high-stimulus environments or emotionally challenging situations. Psychotherapy tailored to the needs of highly sensitive individuals can provide them with the tools to embrace their sensitivity as a strength and navigate their emotional landscape more effectively. Key Approaches in Treating Highly Sensitive Individuals
ConclusionPsychotherapy holds tremendous potential for highly sensitive individuals seeking support, understanding, and growth. By partnering with a skilled therapist who understands the nuances of high sensitivity, individuals can explore their emotions, develop effective coping mechanisms, and embrace their sensitivity as a gift rather than a burden. Through validation, skill-building, and self-discovery, highly sensitive people can learn to navigate the world with confidence and thrive in their personal and professional lives. To find out more, schedule an appointment with Scott Olds at (303) 817-8369 or email me at scott@springsnewhope.com.
Highly sensitive people can feel stressed, anxious, or depressed when overwhelmed with sensory overload, with too much happening around them too quickly. While no single activity is a silver bullet to well-being for the highly sensitive, research shows that a combination of these low-intensity positive activities contributes to harmony and well-being.
Be gentle with yourself. Embrace sensitivity for the positive benefits and learn to manage the challenges. These 10 practices can help you regain a sense of balance and calm when you feel overstimulated and overwhelmed. If you think you may be highly sensitive and need additional help overcoming anger, stress, or depression, call Scott Olds, Psychotherapist at (303) 817-8369 or Scott@springsnewhope.com for a free consultation. Scott is located in Arvada, Colorado. If you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression, chronic insomnia frequently contributes to the problem. Highly sensitive individuals frequently experience sleep disturbances due to how they process stress. Here are some suggestions to help improve your sleep which will help your anxiety. Therapy can reduce the overwhelm and stress causing anxiety which will improve your sleep. Insomnia Puts You At Risk For Medical Conditions Insomnia is shown to put you at risk for a host of medical conditions, including: stroke, asthma, seizures, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Insomnia also puts you at risk for mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, confusion, frustration, and emotional regulation in general. What causes insomnia?The causes of insomnia are many, including:
What can I do to manage insomnia?
When Should I Contact A Therapist?If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, panic attacks, or depression, a psychotherapist can help. Your therapist can help you uncover the root cause of your anxiety/depression and teach skills to better manage these issues.
If you want to improve the outcome of couples therapy, here are six things you can do to make your marriage counseling a success. 1. Set Goals For YourselfPlan to work on yourself. Trying to change your partner is frequently ineffective. What do you want? What were your early expectations in this relationship? If you visualize the ideal relationship, what would that look like? Today, what are your attitudes and behaviors? What keeps you from being a happier person? What can you improve? When you are stressed, how do you react? Do you try to control, nag, or complain? Do you withdraw? Fear not, your couples counselor will ensure both of you are working, not just you. 2. Be OpenLook for the feelings behind the feelings. There are frequently deeper reasons for surface feelings. Realizing why we feel the way we do can get be helpful. We might feel hopeless, helpless, or embarrassed, but why? Perhaps trust or resentment is an issue. Being more vulnerable to your partner in a safe place will create empathy and compassion. 3. Invest the TimeCouples counseling takes time and energy. Plan to spend quality time working on the relationship at home as well as in a therapy session. 4. Be OpenmindedOur assumptions about the motives of our partner may not be true. Ask. Be open to changing your mind and avoid jumping to conclusions. 5. Learn IndependenceRelationships can fill some of our needs but not all. Even the best marriage has moments when we feel worried, lonely, or anxious. No partner can be there for you every moment. Learn to become a complete person with activities outside the relationship. 6. Set Divorce Aside For NowSuccess requires hope. Focusing on divorce is like staring into the abyss, not a cheerful prospect. Take divorce off the table and work on the relationship. Visualize the positive goals and work toward them. Work on your marriage now. Invest the best part of yourself, your time, honest feelings, and energy for the best couples therapy outcome. Make a brighter future.
DescriptionA groundbreaking documentary about the temperament trait of high sensitivity found in 20% of the population in both men and women. Based on the findings of bestselling author-psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron ("The Highly Sensitive Person") Open to everyone. Presented by Catherine M. Blake, LPC and Scott F. Olds, Psychotherapist Call Scott at (303) 817-8369 or Cathy at (303) 464-9803 for more information. Date and TimeSun, July 22, 2018 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM MDT LocationFor ReservationsI am excited to announce:
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