Learning to live with a long-term health condition is life changing. It involves managing both the condition and all the change and uncertainty that goes with it, while also trying to live a full and valued life. In this post I explore how those twin tasks each have elements of acceptance and change.
Acceptance and change are typically seen as opposites but might perhaps usefully be seen as independent constructs. This post explores an alternative way of thinking about acceptance and change. Continue reading
Having a satisfying relationship can can provide us with love, friendship, comfort, and support. It helps us help define who we are and what our life is about. But what exactly makes for a satisfying relationship? Continue reading
IntroductionGetting and giving the love and support we want can sometimes be challenging. There are skills we can learn to express our emotions constructively and to validate our partner. These skills can help us to manage conflict better. Continue reading
One of the key ingredients of a strong and resilient relationship is the ability to adapt flexibly to changed circumstances. While flexibility is helpful, the way we respond to change can also reveal the ways in which power and responsibility operate in our relationship. This post addresses the question: when change comes, how do we decide who should now do what? Continue reading
As the world changes before our eyes, we are being repeatedly challenged by increasing uncertainty and potential threat. When change is so rapid and so profound, It can be hard to take it all on board. if we want to learn to adapt, we will need to face the reality of what has changed and its emotional impact on us. Continue reading
In my previous post, I introduced the idea of building relationship resilience by taking responsibility for how we behave during stressful times. In this post, I’d like to write about how to use mindfulness to increase your relationship self-awareness and your awareness of your partner. Continue reading
In my previous post, I introduced the idea of building relationship resilience by tackling external stresses and understanding conflict. In this post, I’d like to talk about how we can take a look at the way we’re trying to cope and its impact on our partner. Continue reading
It can be a big ask suddenly to find yourself living with your partner in isolation with no clear end in sight. Much as we might love each other, we aren’t really designed to spend quite so much time in close proximity. As a relationship therapist, I have been thinking about ways that might help us cope better with this situation. In particular, I’m wondering whether this might be an opportunity to build more resilience into our relationships. Continue reading