Planning Early For New Year Goals
Everyone thinks of January as the time to set goals for the new year, but here at Core Values Counseling, we just finished our goals and planning meeting for 2021. I have to admit, when we first started talking about having a goals meeting as early as November? I...
Gender Roles In Relationships
Photo by Tanya Trofymchuk on Unsplash If you’ve ever read the Gottman book, “And Baby Makes Three”, you’ve read the study that shows that one of the most important ways to maintain marital satisfaction after having a baby is for the father to take on a more...
The Gentle Start Up
Photo by Isaac Ordaz on Unsplash When there is an issue that you’re bumping up against in your relationship, it’s good to remember the very basic skill of the gentle start up. If you find yourself becoming resentful for whatever reason, remember to bring that up...
Dividing Up Household Chores
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Most couples have some kind of system for who does which household chores. However, it can be easy to get stuck in a system that may have worked once years ago, but now isn’t serving its purpose — and one or both of you are unhappy...
How To Heal Through the Collective Trauma of 2020
Photo by David Wirzba on Unsplash In the course of 2020, we’ve all experienced a massive collective trauma, haven’t we? I heard a talk recently that covered this, and the speaker brought up an excellent point. He talked about how trauma is processed: if trauma of any...
Who Knew 3rd Grade Math Could Be So Hard (for two grown adults)?
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash. Here in Oregon, kids have gone back to school online — which means there’s more pressure on parents than ever before. Parents have been required to take on a much larger role in the process of teaching in this new virtual school...
Some Resources For Stress
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash I don’t know about you, but this year just keeps on giving…me stress and anxiety. I have really felt it lately, especially in Oregon, where we have been contending with unprecedented fires! I’m actually getting weary of hearing...
Sunday Brunch Quarantine Style
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash Quarantine has forced most of us the world over inside for far longer than we’re used to. Certain milestones and events seem light years away! For me and my family, a weekend brunch has always been a special way to celebrate and...
Loneliness and Self-Esteem
Photo by Joshua Newton on Unsplash This year has been tough for everyone — I know I’m certainly feeling it. Take a minute to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Is there a chance you’re feeling more lonely? For some people, the answer to this question is...
What Are Your Silver (Or Blue) Screen Goals?
Photo by William Iven on Unsplash How many hours a day do you think you spend in front of a screen? How about your partner? A lot of times, it’s easier to notice how often our partner does this — checking their phone during your together-time, scrolling Facebook while...
Rebuilding Trust In Your Relationship
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash A breach of trust can come in many forms. Whether it’s hiding certain financial decisions, emotional or physical affairs, a gambling habit, or other addiction — when you discover something negative about your partner it can be...
Couples With TOO Much Time Together in Isolation
Photo by MIKHAIL VASILYEV on Unsplash I’ve been seeing a recurring theme with a lot of my clients: How do you maintain a healthy relationship in close spaces without having the distance you’re used to? Being cooped up together can be tough, no matter how emotionally...
The Joy In Going Outside!
Photo by Atanas Malamov on Unsplash COVID has been stressful, but there’s still one thing we can do: Walking. Nature. Enjoying the outdoors. I have made it a point to be in nature at least once a week, and it has been a delight. Finding remote trails to walk on...
Spontaneity of Summer
Photo by Alice Donovan Rouse on Unsplash With the way 2020 has been so far, summer activities are incredibly difficult to plan. How can we plan a getaway three months from now when we really have no idea what the world or COVID will look like three months from now? It...
Sweet Summertime!
I always think of summertime as family reunion time — but how can you have a reunion with social distancing? It might mean it looks different this summer, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected to your families.
Compromise Conversations
Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash Our last blog was about UNDERSTANDING, but how do you actually come to a compromise? How can you come to a compromise without letting go of your core need? The Gottmans discussed this on their website and they advocate for...
How to Have Conversations With Your Loved One When You Disagree
Photo by Joshua Ness on Unsplash You may not always agree with your partner on political, philosophical, or theological ideas — how do you manage that conversation without it becoming volatile? Emotions are running high right now and a lot of people don’t know what...
Video Counseling In The Time Of COVID
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash I thought I would hate it. It was intense at first. Even though some people are moving back into the office, many of us are going to remain counseling online for the foreseeable future. For me and my own personal health, I’ve...
