One of the relationship problems that doesn’t get discussed a lot is weight gain after marriage and divorce. In the two years after any marital transition, you are more likely than your unmarried counterparts to put on a little weight. For most, it’s relatively small, but for some, it can be significant.
Interestingly, women are more [...]

Relationship issues are hard enough without getting politics in the mix! That may be why more singles are likely to admit they are overweight than to share information on their political leanings.
But it turns out they may be better off listing it, since married couples share political views more than any other trait except religious [...]

Major relationship issues like infidelity, abuse, or addiction get a lot of press, but the truth is they aren’t the culprits in most divorces. In fact, it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly when these relationship went south. The deterioration happens over time. Our lives get busier and busier, there are more and more distractions, and [...]

An emotional affair can sometimes start out innocently. You’re just bantering with a co-worker. It’s harmless flirting, right? It can be, but sometimes those boundaries get blurred.
As a Portland marriage counselor, I can tell you that the definition of an emotional affair isn’t set in stone. What would be considered cheating in one relationship would [...]

Our relationship problems can have a big impact on our children, whether we realize it or not. When we’re under stress of any kind – emotional, financial, or otherwise – it puts our kids under stress, too.
In David Code’s new book “Kids Pick Up on Everything: How Parental Stress Is Toxic to Kids,” he discusses [...]

When people come to me for relationship advice, sometimes they want to understand why marriage is a good idea in the first place. Some people don’t believe in the benefits it can bring to a relationship, but a recent study found a very easy to understand advantage: it helps your heart!
Research from the University of [...]

One of the most common relationship issues that cause people to seek Portland marriage counseling is conflict, so I found it interesting when a recent study from Ohio State University reported that conflict levels don’t change much over the course of a marriage. They followed nearly 1,000 couples over 20 years, and the differences they [...]

As relationship advice goes, reminding people to celebrate their wedding anniversary usually goes over well. Most of us love to commemorate special events, but sometimes the anniversary goes by the wayside when other priorities get in the way. But taking time to celebrate your relationship is important. It is a way to let your partner [...]

Many relationship problems begin with blaming, so I found it interesting as a Portland marriage counselor when I read a recent article in ScienceNews about how blaming others makes people sick.
“Persistent bitterness may result in global feelings of anger and hostility that, when strong enough, could affect a person’s physical health,” says Carsten Wrosch, a [...]

Many relationship issues are the result of unrealistic expectations. Maybe we’ve always imagined the Prince Charming from fairy tales. Or perhaps we’ve watched too many romantic comedies. For whatever reason, people often set their expectations too high, so there’s no way that their significant other can measure up to their idealized fantasy.
Here’s the deal: we’re [...]