Are you not having the love life of your dreams?

With the rise of movies and television series over the last couple of decades, we have almost lost a sense of reality. We have genres such as comedy, romance and drama. Each of these almost always have a love story intertwined within the plot. These movies and televisions depicting different kinds of love stories may alter what we think is an ideal relationship in real life. We find ourselves striving for relationships that we see on television and in the movie theater. They give us a false sense of what a successful love life looks like. When we don’t achieve this cinematic love life we feel as if the relationship is doomed and unsuccessful. So, what do we do when we do not have the love life of our dreams?

As an Author, Speaker and Publisher, Fiona Fine is growing a movement for women to live and love on their terms. She is the founder of the company Goddess Connection with the dating advice site HowToPutTheFunBackIntoDating.com and the e-magazine Women Who Run It: Your Life-Your Love-Your Terms! Her newest publication is her book Babe In Total Control of Herself- Stop Chasing Men and Start Choosing LOVE. Fiona is a dating and relationship expert in her early 50’s. She’s had a consulting/coaching practice for 15+ years and coaches women ​a​nd men who want to create their best life of love, work, health, passion and fun!

To find out more about Fiona Fine and her company and publications, you can visit her website.

Are you having trouble with communication?

We all know that better communication leads to better relationships in all aspects of life. We have to learn how to communicate well with our bosses and coworkers at work. We do this so everything can run smoothly and efficiently. We have to learn to communicate effectively in school so that we don’t fall behind or misunderstand an important lesson. We have to learn how to communicate with our friends so that plans and events go the way they need to. In relationships with our loved ones, we know that we have to communicate our wants, needs, and feelings to achieve a fulfilled relationship. If we know this, then why is it still so hard? What are some of the things we can work on to better communicate with our loved ones to make our relationships thrive?

Earning his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson State University and his EdS degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Seton Hall University, Jeffrey Brandler is owner and founder of Jeffrey Brandler, EdS CAS SAP in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. He has had a private practice since 1991 working with individuals and couples with the most common treated issues being anxiety, depression, addiction and stress. Jeff is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Addictions Specialist and Substance Abuse Professional, as well as a chapter advisor for the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. He has been published by the American Association of Mariage and Family Therapy-New Jersey twice in his career. Jeff is also a presenter at self help, corporations, and professional groups.

To find out more about Jeffrey Brandler and his practice, Jeffrey M. Brandler, EdS CAS SAP, you can visit their website or call (973) 402-2647 for an appointment.

Have you fallen out of love?

During our childhood we grow up learning about all the fairy tales full of princesses, princes and happy endings. We learn about Cinderella, the girl who was forced into servitude by her stepmother, who gets a night out at the royal ball and meets her Prince Charming and lives happily ever after. We learn about Rapunzel who was kidnapped as a baby and confined to the top of a tower. Her knight in shining armor comes to save her and they lived happily ever after. We learn about Sleeping Beauty, who ate a poisonous apple and the only way to wake up was to be kissed by her one true love. Her true love comes and kisses her and they lived happily ever after. We learn about all these stories growing up and it gives a false expectation of what happily ever after means. When we become disconnected with one another we can start to fall out of love with each other. Is there anything we can do to revive our happily ever afters with the ones we love?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Nicole Stone is founder and owner of Embark Therapy. In her private practice, she works with couples and individuals, focusing on the impact relationships have on her clients’ lives, including their mental and emotional health. Nicole works with partners at any stage of their relationship and with a variety of presenting concerns, including infidelity, lack of intimacy, considering divorce or separation, as well as remarriage, step-parenting and blending families. She has also been trained in Discernment Counseling, has completed the Level 1 Gottman-Method Training for couples therapy, and is a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator.

To find out more about Nicole Stone and her practice, Embark Therapy, you can visit their website or call (919) 397-5626 for an appointment.

Can you say no to your spouse?

The term “no” may be universal in almost every language, but the decision of saying no can sometimes prove to be more difficult than it may seem. It is hard to say no to your boss when they give you a large project with an unrealistic timeline. It is also hard to say no to your young children when they pout and put on their sad little puppy eyes. It is hard to say no to your mother who needs help with something that she can’t do by herself. And it is hard to say no to your spouse on something that you don’t agree with when you don’t want to make your loved one upset. What can we do to make saying no a little easier? How do we make boundaries with our loved ones without rocking the boat?

Earning her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Ricki Geiger is founder and owner of Rickie L. Geiger, LCSW in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ricki is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Group Psychotherapist and Certified Retirement Coach. She has over 30 years of professional experience. She provides individuals, couples, and group therapy for adults over 21 years of age. Ricki is a seasoned, engaging and skilled community educator and workshop presenter.

To find out more about Ricki Geiger and her practice, Ricki L. Geiger, LCSW, you can visit their website or call (919) 929-8559 for an appointment.

In today’s society, we have more technology than we know what to do with. It is astounding to see how much we rely on it, too! In an average household, you may find a cell phone for each member of the family, a laptop and a couple of tablets. Essentially these are all types of mobile computers that allows us to be connected with one another every second of every day. We eventually become hard pressed to find any alone time when we have our cell phones constantly with us. When someone texts us, we text back as soon as we receive it. When someone calls, we answer whether we are busy doing something else or not. We constantly refresh our emails and social media pages. With us constantly being attached to our technology, are our relationships suffering? Do we actually have good quality time when we are on our phones when we are together? In reality, do we become more disconnected with our loved ones when we are always on our phones and tablets?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Jamie Criswell is managing partner of Foundations Family Therapy in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. Jamie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been serving individuals, couples and families in different capacities for over 5 years. She has served clients in outpatient, inpatient and community settings. In addition to working with couples, Jamie has experience working with domestic violence, substance abuse, crisis stabilization, and child behavioral problems. Jamie is committed to further education to further education and advancing the field of Marriage and Family Therapy and currently serves as the Treasurer for the North Carolina Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is a Clinical Fellow in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Jamie has completed level 2 training in GOttman Method Couples Therapy as well as certification as a PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator. She also provides supervision to master’s level interns and associate licensed professionals.

To find out more about Jamie Criswell and her practice, Foundations Family Therapy, you can visit their website or call (919) 285-4802 for an appointment.

In school you were always taught about the American Dream. You learned how people risked their lives to come to the United States of America to live out their dreams of happiness and freedom. Part of those dreams was and is to have a family and live a happy life. In today’s age, we are almost pressured into conforming to this dream of getting married and having a family. Everyone wants to know when you are going to settle down and have a family. With the rise of technology, there are a large variety of dating websites on the internet to help make this dream a reality. These websites are growing every day in acceptance and popularity. The growing usage of these sites shows that we still want to be able to get married and have children, but are we trying too hard? Are we overlooking deep meaning in our relationships just to take care of our superficial wants and needs?

Earning his Doctorate Degree in Counseling and Clinical Supervision from the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Dr. Gerald Brown is owner and founder of Inner Compass Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting in Cornelius, North Carolina. Jerry is a licensed professional counselor with extensive training in trauma, family, couples and Latino issues. He provides counseling, life coaching, and counseling in English and Spanish. He also works as a counselor at the Center for Military Families and Veterans at Central Piedmont Community College. Jerry’s research interests include resilience, military issues, multicultural issues, and first generation college minorities in education. He has over 7 years of counseling experience in school, college, and community mental health settings.

To find out more about Dr. Gerald Brown and his practice, Inner Compass Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting, you can visit their website at  or call (704) 302-6434 for an appointment.

In today’s day and age we are all programmed to be independent. We go off to 4-year colleges to get our degrees. We then use those degrees to land ourselves a career to support us through life’s necessities. Being independent means that we don’t have to rely on anyone else to aid or support our needs and wants. Wanting to be independent is a good virtue to have when it comes to financial stability and careers. However, when it comes to relationships, being independent might not be what’s best for you and your loved one. What happens when we try to be too independent in our relationships? Can being interdependent, dependent, or independent hurt our relationship with our loved one? What can we do to become more mutually dependent with our loved one?

Earning her Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University, Dr. Susan Orenstein is founder and director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Orenstein has devoted her professional career to helping individuals and couples improve their most intimate relationships. She specializes in relationship and couples issues. Dr. Orenstein is committed to providing state-of-the-art practices in marital counseling and to that end, continues to attend professional training programs.

To find out more about Dr. Susan Orenstein and her practice, Orenstein Solutions, you can visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 for an appointment.

Each and every one of us responds to stress differently. Some of us respond to stress by eating more than we usually do while others eat less than they are used to when they are stressed. Some of us exercise until they push themselves too far while others may stop their exercise regimens. Some use smoking, drinking and drugs to try to escape the stress in their lives. Sometimes, we may choose to withdraw from our friends, families and activities while some of us fill up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems, which leads to added stress. How does our stress response impact the way we respond to others? Are we often even mindful or aware of this? How can this affect our relationships? What can we do to improve the quality of our relationships?

Earning his Master’s Degree in Counseling and License in Marriage and Family Therapy, Mr. Jude Johnson practices at Akeen Mind in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jude specializes in the practice of mindfulness, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy. He has attended extensive training on the practice of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and has applied these skills into clinical practice. Jude has worked in an array of settings including inpatient psychiatric/substance abuse, home based family therapy, alternative schools, emergency services, and outpatient clinics both as a therapist and administrator. Jude utilizes mindfulness and family systems theory as base ingredients to optimize the well-being of organizations, professionals, and people from all walks of life. He has experienced the benefits of practicing mindfulness first hand and is passionate about helping others discover their own inner resources for managing stress, pain and illness.

To find out more about Jude Johnson and his practice, Akeen Mind, you can visit their website or call (843) 364-5921 for an appointment.

Having trouble understanding your partner?

We all go through life trying to understand who we are and what we are meant to do. We have to learn how to differentiate our needs from our wants and truly discover who we are. It is difficult for us to do this for ourselves and even more challenging to understand someone else’s needs and wants. When we come into a relationship we have to learn to acknowledge and share our own needs and wants as well as discover our partner’s needs and wants. We do this so that we can understand each other and our motives in life so that we can better communicate and coexist. But, how do we know exactly what motivates us in life? How would knowing what motivates our lives benefit our relationships?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York City, Mrs. Patricia Pirone is the Senior Vice President of Pratt Assessments. While attending graduate school, Patricia worked extensively with children in foster care. After earning her Master’s in Social Work, she began working in an outpatient mental health clinic with children, adolescents, and families. In 2010, Patricia started her private practice where she returned to clinical work with children, adolescents and adults. Over the next several years Patricia grew the practice and in 2014 decided to create Pratt Assessments and began selling a tool that revolutionized her practice. Pratt Assessments is the parent company to Touchstone Assessments, Elevate Assessments, and Assessment Athletics.

To find out more about Mrs. Patricia Pirone and her practice, Elevate Assessments, you can visit their website or call (704) 350-2380 for an appointment.

Are Your Relationship Expectations Realistic?

We all have our own set of expectations in every aspect of life. We have a set of expectations when it comes to work. Whether it’s our tasks at work, work atmosphere, or job duties, we come into work with what we think will happen. When these expectations are not met at work, we often find ourselves unhappy and wanting to find something better. We look for a place that matches well with our personalities and shares a common goal to what we want to do in line so that we are happy with the work we are doing. What happens when our expectations and reality don’t correlate in our relationships? We don’t want to throw away all the hard work that we’ve put in. So, what can we do to help alleviate some of the tension that occurs when our expectations aren’t realistic in our relationships?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Ms. Melissa Staley is a Managing Partner for Foundations Family Therapy in – Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Melissa has extensive experience working with a wide range of mental health settings and specialties. She has worked in a non-profit specializing in Multi-Systemic Therapy, worked with adolescents with behavioral difficulties and their families, taught anger and frustrations management, communication, positive thinking, and social interaction, worked in a detox and mental health crisis stabilization center and she has conducted clinical assessments and facilitated therapy groups. Melissa currently works with individuals, couples, families and children ages 4 and up. She has completed the Level 2 training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and certified as a PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator.

To find out more about Ms. Melissa Staley and her practice, Foundations Family Therapy, you can visit their website or call (919) 285-4802 for an appointment.

Does your addiction affect your loved ones?

As the awareness of mental health issues has been expanded, the acceptance of addiction as a disease has also increased. When people talk about addictions, most assume either drug or alcohol addiction. However, there are many more types that are common. Exercise addiction, food addiction, computer addiction and gambling are all common forms of addiction in today’s society. When someone is addicted to something, they have an impaired control over the behavior, they become preoccupied with the behavior and continue to engage in the behavior despite the negative consequences. Not only can addictive behavior be harmful to one’s self, it can be detrimental to your family and friends. How does all of this impact a relationship? What can we do to reverse some of the unfavorable effects of addiction in a relationship?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University, Melissa Enoch-DeBerry is owner and founder of Trinity Counseling Services LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following college, Melissa has volunteered with a non-profit organization, Fighting Back, a grant-funded program designed to combat societal ills in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods in Mecklenburg County. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and furthering her education to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. To find out more about Melissa Enoch-DeBerry and her practice, Trinity Counseling Services LLC, you can visit their website or call (704) 921-9600 for an appointment.

Is your negative outlook affecting your relationship?

With life’s many ups and downs, it can be hard to maintain a positive attitude every day. Whether it be at work or at home, bad days happen all the time. You may be struggling to get along with your boss, having difficulties meeting deadlines, or having to deal with angry customers at work. At home, your dogs may have made a mess in the house, the kids may be bouncing off the walls, or maybe a pipe has busted and flooded your kitchen. Any of these issues can make a good day turn bad in a blink of an eye. When bad events happen in your life, some people are quick to turn negative and it may be difficult to keep a positive attitude in such trying times. Can your negative outlook affect your relationship? What can we do to help our relationships when we have a not-so-positive outlook?

Earning his License in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Kevin Rutter is owner and founder of Growing Tree Counseling Center in North Carolina. He is also a certified professional life coach. His training has included psychotherapy and systems therapy. Kevin began his clinical experience in counseling in 1996 and has over 10 years experience in Employee Assistance Programs. He has taught as a student-professor at ECU and has extensive experience in corporate and community coaching providing leadership training, group presentations, and professional coaching. Kevin is an approved supervisor qualified to train other therapists for licensure. Additionally, he was feature many times on a local radio station in Cincinnati and has published articles for a magazine. Kevin also serves on the board for Catawba Valley Association of Professional Counselors and Therapists.

To find out more about Kevin Rutter and his practice, Growing Tree Counseling Center, PLLC, you can visit their website or call (828) 638-5907 for an appointment.

Are you repeating the same behavior patterns in your relationship that you did as a child?

Every parent has their own way of parenting. Consequently, every person’s childhood is different from everyone else’s and can develop unique patterns. The way we are raised influences the way we do things later in life, whether it’s our study habits, work ethic, or career choices. Some parents enforce studying and getting homework done before play. Later in life this can help you to focus more on education or getting your work done in a timely matter. What our parents instill in us at a young age often carries with us in patterns over the years. What happens when we come from a home that is less than optimal? Do we develop differently? Can our childhood affect the way we do things in our relationship?

Earning her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Ricki Geiger is founder and owner of Rickie L. Geiger, LCSW in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ricki is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Group Psychotherapist and Certified Retirement Coach. She has over 30 years of professional experience. She provides individuals, couples, and group therapy for adults over 21 years of age. Ricki is a seasoned, engaging and skilled community educator and workshop presenter.

To find out more about Ricki Geiger and her practice, Ricki L Geiger, LCSW, you can visit their website or call (919) 929-8559 for an appointment.

Do you and your spouse have the same desires?

Sometimes in life it is hard for us to understand or even acknowledge our needs and wants. Whether it be regarding our everyday needs, emotional needs, or health needs. When these needs are not met our lives may not feel as fulfilled as we want or need them to be. When it comes to relationships we have emotional needs as well as sexual needs. But, what if these needs are not met, do we become unfulfilled in our relationship? Are there ways that we can share our needs and find a way to meet them so that both partners are happy in their relationship? What if our needs differ? Is there a way we can compromise or fulfill each of the differing needs of each partner?

Earning her Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina, Glenise Parrott, who goes by Lenny, practices at Cameron Valley Psychotherapy & Counseling which is a private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lenny is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with couples. She also has a certificate in sex therapy from the University of Michigan.

To find out more about Lenny Parrott and her practice, Cameron Valley Psychotherapy & Counseling, you can visit their website or call (704) 364-4333 for an appointment.

Are you taking care of yourself in your relationship?

They always say “you must love yourself before you can love someone else”. This appears to be true when talking about loving yourself emotionally and physically. But what about when it comes to understanding yourself. If you are not aware of your own emotional and physical wants and needs, how can you expect your loved one to understand or even recognize your emotional and physical wants and needs? If you are not aware or comfortable with your own wants and needs it may become hard for you to confide in your partner about what you desire. When this happens you and your partner may get frustrated or even give up on each other. What can we do to alleviate the problem and strengthen our relationship with our loved one?

Earning her Masters Degree in Community Agency Mental Health Counseling, Letitia Huger-­‐Hill practices at Positive Redirection in Durham, North Carolina. Letitia has expansive experience interviewing, and assessing new clients, working with clients with co-­‐occurring disorders, writing treatment plans, and conducting individual counseling sessions to address physical, mental, social and emotional problems. She is a facilitator of Coping With Work and Family Stress which is a workplace preventive intervention designed to teach employees 18 years and older how to deal with stressors at work and at home. The curriculum emphasizes the role of stress, coping and social support in relation to substance abuse and psychological symptoms. Letitia is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina. She promotes conferences, develops event topics and speakers and monitors event activities.

To find out more about Letitia Huger-­‐Hill and her practice, Positive Redirection, you can visit their website for an appointment.

Is your relationship flat? Dull? Losing its luster? Are you bored?

When things lack excitement in our lives, we tend to get bored with them very quickly and easily. We try to find the next, newest best thing. If our hair is flat, dull, and losing luster, we try a new conditioner or hairstyle. If our cell phones are from last season, we go buy the newest version of iPhone or Android. When a new video game, fashion trend or hairstyle becomes popular, we all flock to the stores and salons to get the new exciting trends as we become bored with our old things. But what if your relationship is flat and dull? And you’re feeling really bored with your partner? Perhaps the sex life is barely there or absent altogether. We don’t just drop our relationship to find someone else to keep things exciting. How can we add some excitement, adventure, and passion into our relationships?

Earning her Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University, Dr. Susan Orenstein is founder and director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Orenstein has devoted her professional career to helping individuals and couples improve their most intimate relationships. She specializes in relationship and couples issues. Dr. Orenstein is committed to providing state-of-the-art practices in marital counseling and to that end, continues to attend professional training programs.

To find out more about Dr. Susan Orenstein and her practice, Orenstein Solutions, you can visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 for an appointment.

Are you affected by infidelity in your marriage?

Infidelity appears to be a hot trend in marriages these days. We are plagued with stories about our friends or family members subject to adultery and cheating in their relationships.  With social media constantly creating means of communication, we are continuously able to connect with others and share our stories, concerns, and problems. This readily accessible means of communication can lead to effortless temptations to become unfaithful to our loved ones. Affairs can be either emotional or sexual or a combination of both. Whether they are emotional, sexual or both, there are consequences that may lead to emotional distress to the other spouse. What happens when your spouse or loved one violates the set of rules in your relationship by betraying their fidelity?

Lesli Doares is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Cary, NC. In her practice, Balance Family Therapy, her focus is on helping couples build strong, secure relationships. It is her belief that marriage is a different kind of relationship and, with the proper tools and techniques, most couples can have a happy and successful relationship. Lesli brings both her personal experience and professional training to her work with couples. Her passionate belief in marriage has led to the development of a five step theoretical approach that Lesli detailed in her book Blueprint for a Lasting Marriage: How to Create Your Happily Ever After With More Intention, Less Work. Lesli also writes the A Fearless Marriage Blog where she addresses common challenges to today’s marriages.

To find out more about Ms. Lesli Doares and her practice, Balanced Family Therapy, you can visit their website or call (919) 924-0463 for an appointment.

Do you and your spouse know how to effectively keep the peace in your relationship?

In our society we tend to try to keep the peace in many different settings in life. At work we attempt to keep the peace with bothersome coworkers and demanding bosses. At home we seek to keep the peace with our vexing children, aggravating siblings, and meddlesome parents. When it comes to marriage we try to keep the peace when our spouses ask questions that we may not want to answer truthfully, ask questions about money spending, and ask questions about our needs and wants. Sometimes, to keep the peace we may tell a little white lie as to not hurt our loved ones feelings. However, sometimes it is best to tell the truth so that our spouses are not hurt later down the road. Is it okay to tell little white lies in certain situations? In what ways can we learn to keep the peace between ourselves and our spouses?

Earning his Master’s Degree in Counseling from Humboldt State University, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor, Mr. Noah Rubinstein strives to expand the visibility and reach of GoodTherapy.org in an effort to counter the tendency within the mental health field to view people as deficient and fundamentally flawed. The mission and vision of GoodTherapy.org and Noah’s efforts have been featured extensively in the media, including numerous radio and television interviews and print articles. Mr. Rubinstein is one of the strongest voices advocating for ethical mental health treatment and challenging the application of the medical and pathology-based models within mental health. He has worked with individuals, couples and families for over 25 years in various social service, counseling, and consultation roles within different communities, including mental health clinics, residential treatment centers, emergency shelters, hospice organizations, home-based therapy programs, summer camps and in private practice.

To find out more about Mr. Noah Rubinstein and GoodTherapy.org, you can visit their website.

Do you and your spouse have whole health?

Health seems to be a hot topic in the world today. Whether it is mental health or physical health, there are always articles in numerous magazines and websites promoting ways to get in shape mentally and physically. We have articles on workout regimens, dietary plans and a combination of both. We also have articles on how to destress and relax. A combination of both of these topics can also be found in various articles in magazines and the internet that promote physical health and mental health together. When you are in a relationship, is it important for you and your loved one to have superb physical and mental health to improve your relationship? If so, what can you do individually and as a couple to achieve this?

Earning her Doctorate’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Indiana State University, Dr. Katherine Kelly is a licensed psychologist in her own psychotherapy and counseling practice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Kelly has been named the “pioneer of soul health” through the development of her trademark model, The Soul Health Model. She is a clinical holistic health psychologist. Dr. Kelly is an ongoing contributor to health and wellness magazines and speaks at local, regional, and national educational and corporate health organizations. With over 20 years of direct clinical experience, Dr. Kelly has had extensive experience helping others to heal and evolve.

To find out more about Dr. Katherine Kelly, you can visit her website or call (336) 723-1011 for an appointment.

Is your love going to last through life?

Hardships can be found all throughout life. These hardships can be at work or at home. At work we have to deal with projects and deadlines that test your time-management skills. At home we have to deal with bills, cleaning and the people you live with. Being in a marriage, you have your own set of trying matters. When you are married, you have to go through these hardships along with your spouse. You have to learn how to be there for one another and help each other get through these hard times.  Learning to express your needs, goals and feelings can prove to be challenging, especially when communication is not strong in your relationship. Do you have the essentials in your relationship that you need for long lasting love?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hofstra University, Mrs. Carole Cullen is founder and owner of My-Therpist, Inc. in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Mrs. Cullen is a Certified Gottman Therapist & Workshop Leader as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has extensive experience working with a variety of topics including working with families who lost a loved one in the 9/11 attacks. working with at-risk youth and their families, adults with serious mental health and substance abuse issues and with couples in her private practice. Mrs. Cullen has initiated Couples Crisis Care, a new service for couples based on her work with couples and families that addresses the initial and unique crisis that couples face at the onset of an affair being revealed. She has been helping couples for over 14 years in private practice and has a passion for working with couples in her practice to repair and heal their relationships.

To find out more about Carole Cullen and her practice, My-Therapist, Inc., you can visit their website or call (919) 795-0101 for an appointment.

Is a life-threatening diagnosis endangering your relationship?

Life-threatening diseases and illnesses, like cancer, are never easy to cope with in any circumstance. When these illnesses come into your life, you are faced with the possibility of not surviving the sickness. Not only are you dealing with the unknown, but you have the doctor’s visits and medical bills to deal with. When you have to go to several follow-ups to see the progression, or regression, of the illness, you are having to take time off of work. When you take time off of work, you aren’t receiving as much income as you were before. With the increasing medical expenses, income is important to be able to pay off these debts. These effects of the illness can put stress not only on yourself but onto your loved ones as well. What can we do to move forward in our relationships when our loved one is dealing with a life-threatening illness.

Earning her Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Gina LaFrazza is founder and owner of Gina LaFrazza, Psy.D., PLLC.  Dr. LaFrazza is a licensed psychologist with over ten years of experience in various sub-fields of psychology. She works with individuals, couples and families across the lifespan, providing therapy and comprehensive psychological and educational assessments. Dr. LaFrazza has a range of experience stemming from her work in a variety of settings. She has conducted assessments in one of the top hospitals in the nation for rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury, provided therapy in college counseling centers such the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and provided various services in private practices. Dr. LaFrazza is a member of the North Carolina Psychological Association.

To find out more about Dr. Gina LaFrazza and her practice, Gina LaFrazza Psy.D. PLLC, you can visit their website or call (919) 747-1531 for an appointment.

Is communication becoming an issue in your relationship?

Communication seems to be an issue in any kind of setting these days. Whether it is communication at work, at home or in a relationship, there are always problems with communicating with one another. With the rise in technology and social media, communication is even more complicated than before. With texting, emailing, and chatting, messages get lost in translation and allows the recipient to analyze and interpret it as they wish. When it comes to couples, communication is a big part in having a successful relationship. It is important for each partner to convey their needs and wants with each other. It is also important for each partner to disclose their dislikes. When we can’t communicate properly, our relationships with one another can suffer. What can we do to communicate better in our relationships?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Jennifer Moynihan Wynn is founder and owner of Finding Balance, PLLC in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Jennifer completed an internship at ECU Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic in the Day Rehab Program for Brain Injury Survivors and their family members. She has an extensive background working in various mental health settings. She has experience doing group and individual therapy for mental health and substance abuse. Jennifer has provided training for Brain Injury Awareness in the community. She has also written articles for quarterly newsletter and provided resource support for survivors and their families.

To find out more about Jennifer Moynihan Wynn and her practice, Finding Balance, PLLC, you can visit their website or call (919) 926-8057 for an appointment.

Is your relationship being affected by social media?

The world of social media is growing every day. It feels like every time a new website or app for your phone comes into existence, another follows right behind it. We now have Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat among others that many people use every day. It seems that an alarming amount of people communicate more online than in person. You go to a restaurant and you can look around and see the amount of people on their phones instead of communicating with the person right in front of them. Can the use of social media harm your relationship? What can we do to save our relationships in this situation?

Earning his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University, Mr. Jessee Eppley is a therapist at Healing Solutions Counseling Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Eppley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate. He has extensive experience working with Emotionally Focused Therapy which emphasizes encouraging individuals and couples to move from stuck relationships and patterns of life into a fuller experience of health. Using this model, people move from tension and disconnect towards a deeper experience of intimacy.

To find out more about Mr. Healing Solutions Counseling Centerand his practice, Healing Solutions Counseling Center, you can visit their website or call (980) 237-3880 for an appointment.

Do you have a healthy relationship with your body and partner?

As summer is approaching, we shed our winter layers for more skin bearing attire, which for some also means a time to get our bodies “in shape.” While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose the few pounds we put on over the winter, too much focus on attaining the ideal body can lead to unhealthy extreme behaviors to lose that weight as well as a distorted body image. With social media always commenting about celebrities bodies and talking about the best diets to get the perfect body, it’s no wonder so many people have a negative body image. But we can learn to have a positive healthy relationship with our partners. What steps can we take to better our relationship with our bodies and our partners?

Earning her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Nina Solanki has an expansive background in the healthcare profession ranging from private practice to crisis centers and everything in between. She has a passion for mindfulness, exercise and nutrition. These days, Dr. Solanki is a therapist with Lepage Associates in Durham, North Carolina incorporating her work and knowledge of mindfulness and healthy lifestyle behaviors into both individual and couples therapy.

To find out more about Dr. Nina Solanki and her practice, Lepage Associates, you can visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 for an appointment.

Do you know what it takes to make an effective apology?

Nobody is perfect; we have all done something that requires a sincere apology towards another person. Whether it was borrowing something from a friend without asking, forgetting about plans made with your spouse, or lying to your loved ones we have all had to take responsibility for our actions and offer an apology to smooth things over. When it comes to relationships, you have to be able to genuinely be sorry and apologize for things you have done wrong. If you do not, your partner may feel like they don’t matter or that you do not care about their feelings. Learning to make an effective apology can save yourself and your partner those negative feelings. How do we make an effective apology to our loved ones?

Professor of Family Medicine at UNC School of Medicine, as well as Director of Behavioral Medicine in the Dept of Family Medicine at Carolina Medical Center; Dr. Matthew Alexander is a psychologist and Founder of Alexander Therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Alexander specializes in clinical, health and family psychology giving him a strong background in family systems, psychodynamic and interpersonal approaches to mental health. Dr. Alexander primarily treats couples in his private practice and is also available for public presentations on a variety of topics related to relationships.

To find out more about Dr. Matthew Alexander and his practice, Alexander Therapy, you can visit their website or call (704) 371-3070 for an appointment.

Do you have what it takes to overcome conflict in your relationship?

Conflict is a part of everyday life. In literature we learn the different types of conflict which can be classified as “man versus man”, “man versus nature”, and “man versus self.”  Although we are taught about the varying types of conflict in school, we aren’t necessarily taught how to deal with conflict and resolve our issues. When we come across conflict in our relationships, it is important to have the skills to overcome the problems so that you can continue to have a healthy relationship. If we are unable to mend our issues with our spouse there can be a variety of negative effects that can come about. What are some of the tools that we can use to overcome conflict in our relationships?

Earning her Masters degree from Northern Illinois University, Mrs. Shelly Hummel is CEO of The Align Center for Couples in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Mrs. Hummel specializes in helping couples create stronger and more meaningful relationships. She is a Gottman Certified Therapist and has been in practice for 16 years. Mrs. Hummel facilitated an educational program for the State of Iowa to divorcing parents entitled “Children in the Middle” as well as in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is a member of the North Carolina American Association of Marriage Therapists and a Certified Seven Principles Educator. She sees couples for weekly sessions or for intensives, which are 1 to 3 days of intensive therapy for local or out-of-state couples in crisis.

To find out more about Shelly Hummel and her practice, The Align Center for Couples, you can visit their website or call (919) 880-2566 for an appointment.

Do you struggle with effective communication in your relationship?

Advances in technology these days has allowed for several means of communication to be created and utilized. Back in the simpler days you had to talk to someone face to face or over the phone which allowed for more intimate conversations with each other. Today, we have texting, social media, and email. Through using these new instruments of communication you lose that sense of intimacy with each other which can cause translation to be lost between each other. How can we overcome our transgressions when it comes to communicating with each other in this day and age?

Earning her Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Mrs. Amanda Lis is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at New Perspectives Therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has experience working in private practice counseling, assessment and managed care. Mrs. Lis is a member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Her areas of special interest are in working with couples on issues like improving communication, conflict management, building trust and increasing emotional intimacy. Mrs. Lis has worked with families, couples and individuals on issues dealing with a variety of disorders as well as relationship problems.

To find out more about Amanda Lis and her practice, New Perspectives Therapy, you can visit their website or call (980) 285-8041 for an appointment.

Do you have the skills to transform crises into connection in your relationship?

Hollywood tends to portray marriages and relationships in such a harmonious way where communication, trust, and honesty are never an issue.. However, we are all aware that relationships are never perfect and take quite a bit of work from both partners to be successful. Couples may have difficulties agreeing on the way to manage finances, raise children or spend their free time. In these times of disagreement things can get tense and uncomfortable for both people involved. We all tend to deal with these problems in different ways. Some people may instinctively get defensive while others may try to ignore the problem altogether. How do you turn these times of conflict into a way to connect with one another.

Earning her Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University, Dr. Susan Orenstein is founder and director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Orenstein has devoted her professional career to helping individuals and couples improve their most intimate relationships. She specializes in relationship and couples issues. Dr. Orenstein is committed to providing state-of-the-art practices in marital counseling and to that end, continues to attend professional training programs.

 To find out more about Dr. Susan Orenstein and her practice, Orenstein Solutions, you can visit their website  or call (919) 428-2766 for an appointment.

Do you have what it takes to handle the ups and downs of marriage?

Have you ever wondered if you were marriage material? Before walking down the aisle, wedding vows symbolize the epitome of romance. However, once you’ve said ‘I do’, the words”till death do us part” sounds more like a punishment than a reward. Marriage isn’t always a walk in the park – it’s hard. To make a marriage work it takes blood, sweat and tears; literally. How well are you able to navigate the winding road of marriage?

Earning his masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Sonoma State University, Mr. Geoffry Luce is the founder of Marriage Alliance Counseling in Durham, NC. Mr. Luce has completed internships in marriage and family counseling, as well as employee assistance and chemical dependency programs. Practicing in both Durham and Fayetteville, Mr. Luce is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina with extensive experience working with couples, families, adolescents, and individual adults. One of the key visions he has in life is to help others build strong, lasting marriages.

To find out more about Geoffry Luce and his practice, Marriage Alliance Counseling, you can visit their website or call (919) 923-8634 for an appointment.

Is your love life an erotic novel or abusive nightmare?

The 50 Shades of Grey trilogy has steadily remained at the top of the New York Times bestseller list for several months. The risqué nature of the book that once started out as Twilight fan-fiction is catching the attention of men and women across the globe. Aptly nicknamed “Mommy Porn”, the over the top erotic and abusive nature of the trilogy evokes visions of a modern version of The Story of O. Questions about the nature of the intense relationship between the two main characters and the book’s strong appeal to women are being discussed widely.

In marriage, how do you determine whether the dynamic between you and your spouse is healthy or abusive when behaviors encourage dominant and submissive relationships?

Colette Segalla is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. Colette is a psychotherapist with Lepage Associates in Durham, NC where she works with individuals and couples on issues ranging from anxiety and depression to problems in sexual intimacy. She enjoys working with couples to improve communication, connection, and emotional and physical intimacy.

To find out more about Colette Segalla and her practice, Lepage Associates in Durham, NC, you can visit them online or call 919-572-0000 for an appointment.

Are your broken dreams affecting your relationship?

From childhood to adulthood we have all had hopes and dreams for our futures. As children we dream of becoming presidents, police officers, astronauts, pilots, and firefighters. As we age into teenagers and young adults our dreams consist of going to college to get our degrees and travelling the world. As adults we dream of things like having a family and climbing the corporate ladder. When you get married, some of your hopes and dreams may become morphed together as both of you want each other to achieve your dreams. You may want to start a family or move to the other side of the country. But, what happens when these dreams die or fail? How can this affect your relationship and how do you move on?

Earning his degrees in Ministry and Communication, Mr. Sheridan Voysey has been broadcasting for 18 years as well as speaking professionally for 12 years. Mr. Voysey has interviewed over 2000 people in his broadcasting career and won an award for services to Australian broadcasting in 2011. He is the author of five books including the most recent: Resurrection Year: Turning Broken Dreams into New Beginnings.

To find out more about Sheridan Voysey, you can visit his website.

Could your relationship with your spouse benefit from having an Indian view on marriage?

What is the difference in an Indian Marriage? Marriage is recognized all over the world as a union between two people. By being married you establish rights and obligations between each other, between you and your children, and between you and your in-laws. There can be many reasons that people choose to marry. These reasons could be legal, social, emotional, financial, spiritual or religious.  The views and definitions of marriage widely vary from culture to culture. Some cultures believe in finding someone you love to marry while other cultures believe in arranged marriages. India is such a culture that believes in these arranged marriages. Here in the United States, arranged marriages are not the norm in our culture. However, is there something we can learn from the way Indian culture views marriage?

Founder of John O’Donoghue Therapy Services in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mr. John O’Donoghue is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. He offers counseling for individuals, couples, families and groups. Mr. O’Donoghue is currently offering Blended Family Support and Therapy Groups as well. Mr. O’Donoghue has extensive experience in family issues, relationship and partner issues and parent-child communication. He has traveled to India extensively and is currently writing a book on Indian marriage.

To find out more about John O’Donoghue and his practice, John O’Donoghue Therapy Services, you can visit their website or call (919) 645-7179 for an appointment.

Do you and your spouse have different beliefs when it comes to parenting your child?

Marriages require a delicate balance of values such as commitment, trust and honesty. This balance can prove to be difficult when trying to keep a marriage strong and healthy. When you decide to grow your family you not only have a responsibility to your spouse, you now have an obligation to your child. Learning to balance the two may turn out to be more challenging than you had anticipated. Contradicting beliefs on parenting could not only hinder your ability to co-parent but it may also affect your marriage in a negative way. How can you and your spouse learn to co-parent effectively?

Earning her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Mrs. Jennifer Viemont founded Triangle Parenting Solutions in Raleigh, North Carolina. At Triangle Parenting Solutions, Jennifer offers a range of coaching and consultation programs to parents of all conflict levels going through divorce. She teaches parents to make co-parenting decisions that are based on their children’s needs. Mrs. Viemont has experience working with children and families in a variety of mental health settings. She has also been a life coach, helping people create and implement plans that would help them reach their goals.

To find out more about Mrs. Jennifer Viemont and her practice, Triangle Parenting Solutions, you can visit their website or call (919) 539-4840 for an appointment.

Have you become disconnected with your spouse after having children?

Everyone always says that there’s never enough time in the day, especially after starting a family. Whether you have work deadlines, social commitments, or family responsibilities, we all wish there were more time in the day to complete all the tasks in our to-do list. When you are in a marriage you have commitments and responsibilities to each other to tend to as well. However, when you decide to extend your family, some of those needs get put on the back burner or sacrificed all together. You may lose that attraction and connection to your spouse that once brought you so close together. What steps can you take to rekindle that connection and attraction to bring you and your spouse back together?

Earning his Master’s Degree in Counseling with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Mr. Tony Delmedico is founder of a private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Delmedico has researched and written about the depths of fatherhood and writes a monthly blog for Carolina Parent about this trials and tribulations of parenting entitled “Go Ask Your Dad.” Mr. Delmedico works with children, individuals and couples to relieve suffering and improve relationships.

To find out more about Mr. Tony Delmedico and his practice you can visit their website or call (919) 623-8118 for an appointment.

Are money issues the number one problem in your marriage?

Most people have had money issues at some point in their life. Whether it be from limited resources or trying to start a new business, we’ve all had to deal with the stress of financial adversities. Throw marriage into the mix and those adversities can become full blown obstacles as you and your spouse have to decide and agree on how to allocate your money. Financial planning can be one of the most difficult and stressful collaborations that a married couple has to work on. Do you have the tools and knowledge to get through the money issues in your marriage?

Earning his Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the McColl School of Business at Queens University, as well as maintaining his designation as a Certified Financial Planner, Mr. Ed Coambs is founder of Marriage and Money Matters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Coambs helps families, individuals, and financial professionals with a host of consulting services. His dream is that individuals, families, and couples will no longer say that money is their number one issue. Mr. Coambes hopes that all people could find peace with their personal resources and realize their significance lays far beyond their material resources.

To find out more about Mr. Ed Coambs and his practice, Marriage and Money Matters, you can visit their website or call (980) 275-1627 for an appointment.

Is your spouse’s eating disorder affecting your marriage?

As a society we are growing more aware of mental illness and the effects it can have on an individual and their loved ones. We now observe National Mental Health Awareness Month in May each year to recognize and bring awareness about mental health disorders and the effects it has on the people suffering with a disorder. Mental Health Awareness Month acknowledges disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder among many others. Now that we are aware of what mental health disorders are and how they affect an individual, we now have to discover just how the disorder can affect those people close to the individual suffering. Eating Disorder is among those disorders recognized in the National Mental Health Awareness Month. How can having an eating disorder affect a marriage?

Earning her Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from the Phillips Graduate Institute, Ms. Deborah Klinger is founder of Deborah Klinger M.A., LMFT, PC in Durham, North Carolina. Ms. Klinger helps individuals, couples and families dealing with a variety of issues. She has extensive experience in the field of eating disorders and has been certified as an Eating Disorders Specialist through the Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. Ms. Klinger is published in “Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention.”

To find out more about Ms. Deborah Klinger and her practice, Deborah L Klinger, M.A., LMFT, PC, you can visit their website or call 919-990-1143 for an appointment.

Is your anger obstructing your relationship?

Whether we’ve been wronged, denied or offended, we have all been angered. However, the way we deal with our anger can vary. We may get defensive if we feel attacked or offended. Some may keep it inside until one little thing blows the top off and they finally let it all out at once. People often don’t realize the consequences of their anger outbursts until after the outburst has occurred. The hardest part is after the episode when trying to eradicate the damage you may have done to your partner and relationship. Like anything else, there is a right and wrong way to control and manage your anger. How is your anger affecting your relationship and what can you do to manage it?

Earning his doctorate from the University of Illinois, Dr. Bryce Kaye is the director of Cary Counseling Center and Allied Psychological Services in New Bern, North Carolina. Dr. Kaye and his wife, Helen, own a nautical marriage retreat service named Love Odyssey Charters which helps couples save their marriages on a week long sailing odyssey to different ports of call along the rivers and sounds of North Carolina. Dr. Kaye has extensive experience in performing individual psychotherapy, marriage counseling, and substance abuse counseling.

To find out more about Dr. Bryce Kaye and his practice, Love Odyssey, you can visit their website or call (919) 460-2516 for an appointment.

Are you and your spouse in tune with your true selves?

Our twenties is the time for identifying who we are and what we want to do with the rest of our lives. We go to school to get our degrees and discover careers options that maximizes our talents and skills all the while finding that certain someone to start a family and share our future with. We start to grow older as a unit as the years go by. We settle into life-long careers while the children take piano lessons and play sports for school. But, what happens when you haven’t discovered who you truly were before getting married and starting your family? Eventually you will have to find yourself and it can be a messy journey. How do you go about finding yourself? How does not knowing who you truly are affect your loved ones?

Earning her Masters Degree in Human Development and Marriage and Family Therapy from Auburn University, Mrs. Carmella Whitehead is founder of Whitehead Counseling Services in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mrs. Whitehead has provided individual, couples and family counseling for eight years. She is particularly skilled in mind-body therapy, finding self-worth and reconnecting to your true self. Mrs. Whitehead’s work is characterized by intuition, compassion, optimism and collaboration.

To find out more about Mrs. Carmella Whitehead and her practice, Whitehead Counseling Services, you can visit their website at  or call (646) 530-0993 for an appointment.

Is your family dynamic under stress because of a teenagers drug abuse?

Marriages require work from both spouses to strive and grow. When you add children to the mix the marriage becomes a family with more pressure to make things work. With career obligations, chaotic schedules, and responsibilities to your children, there’s not much room for disruption. Adolescent drug abuse can be cause of disruption in the family dynamic.  What steps should you take to rebuild and strengthen the family dynamic when dealing with a child’s drug dependency?

Earning his Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pfeiffer University, Mr. Jonathan Dotch Sr. is founder of Dotch Counseling Services of Charlotte, where he practices as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist – Associate (LCASA) as well as  a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)  Mr. Dotch Sr. is the author of New Choices: Reaping the Benefits from Positive Decisions which is dedicated to troubled youth trying to overcome adversity during the adolescent phase. He has also served others as a mentor youth care-worker for at-risk children and juvenile delinquents, and in community support services.

To find out more about Mr. Jonathan Dotch Sr. and his practice, Dotch Counseling Services of Charlotte, you can visit their website or call (704) 729-4486 for an appointment.

Does your relationship have what it takes to be with one another 24/7?

Whether that thought thrills you to the max or chills you to the bone, we all know relationships are difficult and require a significant amount of work from both partners to maintain a working relationship when married. With hectic schedules, careers, and responsibilities to your children there may not be enough time in the day to focus solely on your relationship. When this happens the relationship is no longer the first priority in your life. What can you do to keep your relationship strong and healthy?

Mr. Warren Talbot and his wife, Mrs. Betsy Talbot, have written three books that are focused on helping people define and go after the life they crave. They also have a website, a podcast, and a weekly newsletter, which all reveal the steps they took and the ongoing insights they acquire so you can go from lovers to full partners, too. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot live an unconventional life of traveling the world full time. They spend 24 hours a day together living, working, and traveling.

To find out more about Mr. and Mrs. Talbot and their experience and publications, you can visit their website Married with Luggage.

Do you know how to keep your relationship exciting?

Are New Year’s Resolutions for couples a good idea? With the New Year comes new resolutions and new promises to ourselves to do better in the upcoming year. After the holiday meals and goodies we resolve to better our physical health by eating better, exercising more, and cutting out the sweets and sodas. We promise to kick our bad habits of smoking, drinking, or biting our nails. Some decide to become more organized, reduce stress levels, and be more independent. We seem to be more focused on making ourselves better with these resolutions, but what about our relationships? Is there something we can do in the New Year to keep our relationships health and exciting?

Earning her Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University, Dr. Susan Orenstein is founder and director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Orenstein has devoted her professional career to helping individuals and couples improve their most intimate relationships. She specializes in relationship and couples issues. Dr. Orenstein is committed to providing state-of-the-art practices in marital counseling and to that end, continues to attend professional training programs.

To find out more about Dr. Orenstein and her practice, Orenstein Solutions, you can visit their website  or call (919) 428-2766 for an appointment.

Does your relationship have what it takes to deal with a medical illness?

Relationships can be tricky; they require communication, honesty, and love to keep it alive and healthy. You recognize what each other need and want out of the relationship and out of each other. You begin to share life lessons with one another. You learn to provide emotional support, validation, and compliments. You start sharing goals and dreams that resonate with both of you. You discover the value of compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness. But, what happens when the relationship you’ve worked so hard to keep healthy is threatened by a medical illness and it’s consequences?

Earning his doctorate in Medical Family Therapy from East Carolina University, Dr. Dan Marlowe is the Director of Behavioral Health for Campbell University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine where he is in charge of the psychosocial health of the medical and graduate student body. Dr. Marlowe’s studies focused on the integration of mental and behavioral health in medical settings, as well as the treatment of families and couples dealing with acute and chronic illness. His doctoral residency was spend at Duke Cancer Institute’s Cancer Patient Support program where he helped launch their research program as well as helped to expand their collaborative care program the provides counseling services to patients and their families at no cost. Dr. Marlowe is the president-elect for the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

To find out more about Dr. Marlowe and his practice, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, you can call (910) 893-1560 for an appointment.

SMART Resolutions: Do you have what it takes to better your relationship for the New Year?

The New Year is a time for resolutions to create better habits for the upcoming year. After all the holiday feasting we resolve to better our physical well-being with a promise to eat better, exercise more, and cut out the sweets and soda. We start to kick the bad habits by deciding to quit smoking, drink less alcohol, and stop biting our nails. To improve ourselves we resolve to become more organized, reduce stress, and be more independent. These are all resolutions we decide to do to better ourselves, but what can we do to better the relationship we have with our loved one for the New Year?

Earning her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech, Dr. Laura Bryan is the Clinic Director of Pfeiffer Institute Reach. She has over 10 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families facing a wide range of issues, from depression and anger to divorce and parenting. Dr. Bryan is an Assistant Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Pfeiffer University in Raleigh. She is also the Director of the Capital Chapter of the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

To find out more about Dr. Bryan and her practice, Pfeiffer Institute Reach, you can visit their website or call (919) 941-2900 for an appointment.

Does your relationship have what it takes to survive depression?

As a society we are becoming more and more aware of mental health issues and its effects on our lifestyle. We now have Mental Health Awareness Month every May to build awareness for people with mental health issues, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. While we are becoming more receptive and knowledgeable to the external and internal effects of mental health conditions, like depression, what can be done when depression begins to affect our families, and even our spouse? Can anything be done to help loved ones coping with the after effects?

Earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Anna Brandon practices at the UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders. Dr. Brandon has an extensive background in the healthcare profession having worked as an attending psychologist at the first perinatal psychiatric inpatient unit in the nation, conducting research in North Carolina and Texas for couples using partner-assisted interpersonal psychotherapy, as well as helping many women struggling with distress in the context of infertility, pregnancy, and chronic illness.

To find out more about Dr. Anna Brandon and her practice, UNC Center for Women’s Mood Disorders, you can visit their website or call (919) 966-5217 for an appointment.

Do you have what it takes to survive the holidays with your step-family and in-laws?

The holiday season is a fun filled time for families to celebrate being together and sharing traditions with one another. The Christmas lights, carolers and smell of ham cooking in the kitchen is enough to send anyone into a blissful holiday euphoria. Watching children open their presents while cookies bake in the oven is a scene set for happiness and joy.  With family packed around the table, we can see all of our wonderful blessings right in front of us. However, sometimes those wonderful blessings may not be getting along with each other as well as you had hoped.

Introducing family members to each other for the first time is always stressful. Throw in the holiday season and you have a recipe for disaster. Managing to keep everyone happy and stress-free could results in a full on meltdown for the happy host. Are you equipped to navigate sharing the holidays with parents, in-laws, and step-families, turning the chaotic holiday gathering into the loving family picture you had hoped for?

Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones is owner of KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services in Durham, North Carolina. Katrina has worked with many families during the separation and divorce process and understands the many challenges facing committed couples. She has worked with individuals and couples dealing with issues of infidelity, retirement, and even becoming new parents. Dr. Jones has experience in private practice, community mental health and the criminal justice system.

To find out more about Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones and her practice, KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services, you can visit their website or call (919) 493-1975 for an appointment.

Is your marriage strong enough to survive holiday stress?

In a perfect world, the holiday season is a time of celebration, family togetherness, and making memories that will last a lifetime. However, back in the real world, the “holiday season” is a two-month marathon testing the emotional, physical, and mental endurance of a marriage. Between the various family gatherings, dealing with in-laws, and trying to find the perfect gift for the ones you love, stress is available in abundance during the holidays. Even though the list of priorities keeps getting longer, the days are getting shorter and it’s only a matter of time before the perfect storm that’s been brewing is finally unleashed. Is your relationship strong enough to weather the holiday storm or will it fall to pieces under the weight of all that holiday stress?

Dr. Theresa Lewis is a licensed Psychologist with Lewis Consulting Services in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Lewis earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Florida. Dr. Lewis is a Parenting Coordinator, conducting parenting classes for separated and divorced parents, as well as assisting separated parents to develop effective co-parenting skills and parenting plans.

To find out more about Dr. Theresa Lewis and her practice, Lewis Consulting Services, you can visit their website or call (919) 622-1303 for an appointment.

Does your spouse have what it takes to fulfill your every wish and desire?

While some things in life are considered essential, like food, water and shelter. Are you able to separate relationship wants v needs? As human beings, our unwavering desire for ‘more’ transforms what we need to survive into all the things we want to have instead. Is your partner able to identify and provide those items you consider essential to your relationship survival?  What about the extra benefits you crave? Can an ambitious appetite for all the luxuries that come with love overwhelm the basics deemed essential to the success of a relationship?

Rachel Payne Blair is a licensed clinical social worker with Greenlee Psychological and Support Services in Durham, North Carolina where she provides therapy for families, couples, and individuals and also provides clinical supervision for Master Level students. Earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work, Rachel has applied her skills in the field of foster care, school counseling, as well as volunteering her time to assist in local homeless youth programs. Rachel has extensive training and experience in a wide range of areas, including coping with separation and attachment loss, repairing and reconnecting relationships, as well as couples counseling.

To find out more about Rachel Payne Blair and her practice, Greenlee Psychological and Support Services, you can visit their website  or call (919) 764-6402 for an appointment.

How can your commitment to health affect your commitment to the one you love?

Summertime is meant for lounging by the beach, enjoying the sun, and trying to avoid showing the entire world your every physical insecurity. Come autumn, the temperature drops, the leaves change, and everyone’s best friend, the over-sized sweater, makes its triumphant return from the depths of the closet. Just because the temperature is dropping, that doesn’t mean that your waistline will too. With the colder temperatures come the hectic, sleepless schedule filled with holiday parties and filling holiday meals with their seemingly limitless supply of every artery clogging treat your struggling heart can handle.

While many resolve to make up for their holiday splurging with a promise to do better “next year”, it may not only be your body that’s paying the price for your poor physical health. While your gym membership and a full 8 hours of sleep may have been a top priority when you were unattached – a committed relationship, work, or even kids, can have a way of taking time from things that were once considered essential. The black coffee in your hand and soaring 3-digits on the scale don’t lie! As those numbers get higher, so do your chances of marital dissatisfaction. How can a commitment to get physical lead to better marital health?

Dr. Kristen Wynns is a child and adolescent psychologist who owns a specialty private practice in Cary, North Carolina called Wynns Family Psychology.  She earned her Ph.D. and Master’s in Clinical Psychology from UNC-Greensboro. Dr. Wynns has been frequently sought out as local expert on child psychology and parenting issues for radio shows, magazines like Carolina Parent, as well as TV shows like My Carolina Today and Daytime. Dr. Wynns has also founded the parenting website, No Wimpy Parenting, providing services for parents struggling with behavior and discipline problems. Married for 15 years with two young children of her own, Dr. Wynns likes to say she is “doubly qualified” to offer parenting and marriage advice.

To find out more about Dr. Kristen Wynns and her practice, Wynns Family Psychology, you can visit their website Wynns Family Psychology or call (919) 467-7777 for an appointment. For information regarding the services available to help parents struggling with behavior or discipline problems at home, you can visit Dr. Wynns other site, No Wimpy Parenting.

Movies are made for our entertainment, but are they the key to a real life Hollywood romance?

Authors like Jane Austen were setting unrealistic expectations of romance and breaking hearts all over the globe as early as the 18^th century. Should it come as a surprise that present day romantic comedies are continuing the standard? Movies offer an escape from the daily routine and drama of life and feed our imagination with whimsical images and romantic tales. The glamorous illusion that Hollywood creates can be shattered all too quickly when we check back in to reality. Life isn’t always like it is in the movies, but wouldn’t it be great if it could be? Whether it’s a Say Anything boom box by your window or a surprise visit at work a la An Officer and a Gentleman; movies not only hold a high standard for romance and romantic gestures, it can serve itself up as an instruction guide to navigating love in the real world.

Professor of Family Medicine at UNC School of Medicine, as well as Director of Behavioral Medicine at Carolina Medical Center; Dr. Matthew Alexander is a psychologist and Founder of Alexander Therapy in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Alexander specializes in clinical, health and family psychology giving him a strong background in family systems, psychodynamic and interpersonal approaches to mental health. Dr. Alexander has been published in multiple journals and is the lead editor and author of Cinemeducation detailing use of cinema as a teaching tool. Dr. Alexander primarily treats couples in his private practice and is also available for public presentations on a variety of topics related to relationships. To find out more about Dr. Matthew Alexander and his practice, Alexander Therapy, or call (704) 371-3070 for an appointment.

Conflict is a part of life; do you and your spouse know how to handle the stress?

Stress is all around us, all the time. Family responsibilities, hectic schedules, and a never-ending to-do list make it difficult for couples to slow down and take a breath. When stressful situations arise how do you keep your cool?

When we add stress on top of stress it compounds and festers until it’s dealt with. Couples often lose sight of themselves and focus on the various distractions and priorities that consume their lives. When we can’t take time out for ourselves and we can’t dedicate time to our relationship, our mental health suffers. Go ahead, put yourself and your relationship first and de-stress from the chaos in life with these five simple steps.

Founder of Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill, Dr. Jennie Byrne is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult cognitive issues like dementia, attention deficit and anxiety disorders. Dr. Byrne works with individuals and couples to optimize mood and thinking patterns that promote self-improvement and goal achievement. Earning her doctorate in neurophysiology from NYU’s School of Medicine, Dr. Byrne completed her residency at the prestigious Mt. Sinai School of Medicine.

To find out more about Dr. Jennie Byrne and her practice,you can visit their website  Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill,  or call (919) 636-5240 for an appointment.

Do you have what it takes to be in a relationship?

When we’re unhappy, unsatisfied, or unfulfilled in a relationship it’s the never-ending fight. Like a game of tag, the blame keeps getting thrown back and forth from one spouse to the other. Angry outbursts are sparked by seemingly unrelated events. The topic of debate is slightly altered with each passing round, but the core issue of conflict never seems to get resolved.

As children we learned how to tie our shoes, as teenagers we learned how to drive a car, but as adults, who teaches us how to be in a relationship? There is no class in school that teaches us how to behave or what to do to make a relationship successful. When it comes to acting on feelings of the heart, how do we know what we’re doing is right? If divorce rates are any indicator of our relationship proficiency, it may be fair to say that we could all use a little helpful guidance in the love department.

Taking preventative measures to teach couples how to develop a mindful attitude and lifestyle; Dr. Nina Solanki created The Mindful Relationship and Lifestyle Program, a mindfulness-based relationship enhancement program for couples. Earning her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology Dr. Nina Solanki has and expansive background in the healthcare profession ranging from private practice to crisis centers and everything in between. These days, Dr. Solanki is a therapist with Lepage Associates in Durham, North Carolina incorporating her work and knowledge of mindfulness and its benefits in relationships into both individual and couples therapy.

To find out more about Dr. Nina Solanki or her program, The Mindful Relationship and Lifestyle Program, you can visit Lepage Associates online at or call (919) 572-0000 for an appointment.

How do you let go of the baggage from your past to make your second marriage a success?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Love isn’t always something that happens at “first sight”. The hopeless romantics of the world often have to take two, three and even four glances before they find their Mr. or Ms. Right. Once you’ve found the one that you’re ready to take that second walk down the aisle with, how can you ensure that the baggage and pitfalls that unravelled your previous relationship aren’t lingering and waiting to attack your second marriage?

Is it possible for couples to ensure the success of their union when far more challenges stand in their way? How do you successfully integrate children and exes into this modern day nuclear family?

Author of Successful Second Marriages, Patricia Bubash has worked with couples from all over the U.S. to educate them on how to make their marriage the one that lasts. With a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis on counselling, Patricia is a licensed professional counsellor in Missouri. It’s hard to imagine how Patricia found the time to write a book when you discover her active involvement in not only her volunteer work, but in St. Louis marriage counselling community. Having been remarried before, Patricia says “third time is the charm!” as she celebrates twenty five blissful years with her husband.

To find out more about Patricia Bubash, or order your copy of her book, Successful Second Marriages, you can visit her online.  Be sure to keep an eye out for Patricia’s upcoming release, Marriage Blisters: Spousal Behaviors that Rub you Wrong (or Raw).

How can you make quality time for your relationship when you can’t even make time for yourself?

“I wish there were more hours in the day.” Every single one of us has uttered this phrase at least once in our lives. Between family, work and children competing for our attention and time, it’s easy to see how we often are unable to carve out time for ourselves, let alone our better half. All too often our relationships get pushed to the side while we focus on what’s directly in front of us. But how long can a relationship sit waiting in the sidelines before it runs out of gas completely?

When a night on the town or a movie date on the couch have become distant memories it’s time to take a hard look at your priorities as a couple and take back the quality time.

Dr. Gabriella Johr is a licensed clinical psychologist with Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Over the last 10 years Gabriella has found herself working with people in various hospital, school and private practice settings. Specializing in child and family therapy, Gabriella has had a great deal of experience working with couples to manage their family and priorities while still finding time for their marriage.

To find out more about Dr. Gabriella Johr and Orenstein Solutions, you can visit them online at  or call 919-428-2766 for an appointment.

Does absence really make the heart grow fonder?

The modern day world of employment is a far more competitive place then it was only a decade ago. The 9-to-5 workday has seemingly disappeared, and with it the typical business commute. Today, it’s not uncommon to see married couples engrossed in the demanding nature of their jobs and saying “goodnight”, or perhaps it’s “good morning”, to each other from opposite ends of the globe, trying to keep their long distance love afloat.

Planes, trains and automobiles make the world a much smaller place; a beneficial feature that many companies take advantage of. With the physical distance between spouses growing, how can a relationship survive the absence? Exactly how distance is too much? When does absence stop making the heart grow fonder and start tearing apart a relationship?

Earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University, Dr. Janet Savia has an expansive background in the healthcare profession. She’s worked in medical laboratories, as a high school teacher, in a Fortune 50 corporation’s health care division, and as a health care consultant. These days, Dr. Savia is a therapist working with individuals and couples at Sage Psychology Group in Durham, North Carolina.

To find out more about Dr. Janet Savia and her practice, Sage Psychology Group, you can visit them online at Sage Psychology Group or call 919-472-0637 for an appointment.

Can you try to make them stay, when “bye” is what they really want to say?

What do you do when your other half wants to leave but you can’t believe that it’s over? Perhaps the romance is waning or it could be that the fights are escalating. Is there anything that can be done to help save your relationship when your spouse wants out?  

With the growing rate of divorce in North America and the ease with which we see people using the term “separate”, it can sometimes feel like a battle to try and stay together amongst a crowd of those who don’t. Can a couple really save the life that they have built together when an issue as threatening of this looms overhead?

Liam Naden is the director of Growing in Love for Life, a New Zealand based practice which provides 21st century tools and coaching methods to assist individuals and couples in saving their marriages and improving their relationship. With 25 books and counting, Liam is author of the Amazon Kindle bestsellers, “The Sexless Marriage Cure: How to Get Your Spouse (or You) Interested in Sex Again”, as well as “Stay or Go: How to Know if Your Marriage is the Right One for You”. Liam is the host of his own fortnightly relationship podcast series, “Growing in Love for Life: Save and Strengthen Your Marriage.”

To find out more about Liam Naden and his practice you can visit Growing in Love for Life online. You can also download a copy of Liam’s Amazon Kindle bestseller, “How to Save Your Marriage  When Your Spouse Doesn’t Want to.”

When tensions are high, do you get to the source or avoid the conversation altogether?

It’s not called the art of conversation for nothing. Some things in life come easily, but conversation isn’t always one of them. When issues arise, communication tends to take a backseat in an attempt to avoid a potential debate match. A life spent employing your best avoidance tactics can make it difficult to tackle tough issues and topics with your partner.

Avoiding topics because they are difficult to discuss can have a poisonous effect on a relationship. How do you get to the root of an issue when it’s such a fine line to navigate the road between interrogation and conversation?

Our guest today is here to help us answer that very question. Specializing in couples and relationship issues for the past 15 years Dr. Susan Orenstein is the director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Receiving her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, she has pursued advanced training in couples counselling and family mediation. Susan has been happily married (to the same man) for the past 24 years.

To find out more about Susan Orenstein and her practice, Orenstein Solutions, you can visit their website or call 919-428-2766 for an appointment.

Does long-standing sibling rivalry really have an impact on a marriage?

So where does sibling rivalry start in the first place? According to academic professionals at the University of Michigan Health System, the most fundamental effect and characteristic of sibling rivalry is jealousy. Constant arguments between siblings create a strong feeling of tension in the household that’s felt by everyone.

It’s also been suggested that rivalry between siblings has negative effects on the marriage of the parents, as the problems experienced between the siblings begin to make the parents more likely to disagree about who is right and who is wrong in different situations. So what is the best way to ease the tension and quell the rivalries?

Today’s guest is Dr. Kristen Wynns, a child psychologist and parenting, testing and custody specialist and the owner of Wynns Family Psychology. With extensive experience in child and parenting issues, Kristen has seen her fair share of family tension derived from sibling rivalry. According to her, spouses can reduce the negative effects of the rivalry by communicating with each other and presenting a unified front to the children.

The Wynns Family Psychology ‘Sibling Strife’ workshop will be held September 23, 2013 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

To find out more about Kristen and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 467-7777 to schedule an appointment.

Do you and your partner have what it takes to build a sound relationship house?

The Sound Relationship House theory was developed by relationship expert Dr. John Gottman and follows the notion that it’s essential for couples to cultivate and build a fundamental process for the success of the relationship. The theory includes areas such as trust, commitment, knowing your partner’s world, sharing fondness and admiration towards one another, having a positive perspective about your marriage, managing conflict, making life dreams come true, and creating a shared meaning for your marriage.

When couples get stuck in repetitive argument patterns it can be difficult to reach agreement, but what many don’t realize is that it might be more important for them to work on having more fun in their marriage rather than just focusing on reducing the conflict.

Our guest today is Dr. Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones, a licensed psychologist and the owner of KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services in Durham, NC. Katrina is here to discuss Gottman’s Sound Relationship House theory and to give couples some solid tips on how they can follow and use the theory throughout their marriages.

To find out more about Katrina and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 493-1957 to schedule an appointment.

Despite the fact that they’re family… What do you do when you just can’t stand to be around your in-laws?

Although you love your spouse, you might not always love his or her parents or siblings. So how do you make peace with them when there has always been tension? How do you reach a compromise that everyone in the family is okay with? Naturally, the goal is to develop a comfortable role for yourself with realistic expectations for what your in-laws can offer to you and what you can offer to them. It’s not always that simple though. And sometimes it can be even more difficult because it’s family.

When there’s a lack of support from the in-laws, it can put a lot of stress on a marriage and both partners individually. Sometimes couples don’t really know how to set healthy boundaries and limits, and they ultimately get caught up in never-ending family drama and turmoil.

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, the director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan has worked with many couples who have faced these very issues, and she’s here to discuss a way to fix the problems. According to her, it is possible for couples to get to a place where they feel comfort and happiness with their in-laws… even after many years of struggle.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

How can you and your partner manage change throughout your marriage? Do you both have what it takes to face the challenges change can bring?

Change is as inevitable as death and taxes, yet when people marry they don’t think very much about all of the ways their partner might change over time. Changes can come in many shapes and sizes and at various points throughout life and marriage. Changing career paths, changing religions, changing whether or not you want children or how you choose to spend or save money… The list goes on and on.

Sometimes dealing with change can be very difficult and confusing and can also put much stress on a marriage and both partners individually. If couples aren’t on the same page about how to manage different transformations throughout life, then they could very well argue a lot more which can lead to a build up of tension and resentment.

There are solutions, however, and today’s guest has some helpful pointers and tips for couples on how to manage big changes within their marriages and personal lives. Dr. Tina Lepage is the founder of Lepage Associates in Durham, NC. Among others, a specialty of hers is personal and professional relationships and with more than 15 years of experience serving clients, Tina has helped her fair share of couples dealing with many different issues.

To find out more about Tina and her practice, you can visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

How can couples pick good friends that are healthy for their relationship?

Sometimes, in the beginning stages of a marriage, couples are more focused on starting and raising a family rather than making a lot of friends… They can become more centered around parenting issues– how to raise the kids, where to have family vacations, who will pick the kids up from school and take them to various practices– things of that nature. When the kids get older and more independent, however, there’s more time for a couple to build a social life with friends that revolves around things other than play dates and kids’ birthday parties.

But what if a couple ends up facing conflict as a result of their social life? How can they navigate it together so that both partners are happy and comfortable? At times, couples might have to take a closer look at their friendships and determine what the root of the problem is– because sometimes it’s not necessarily the friends.

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, the director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan has worked with many couples who have faced these very issues, and she’s here to discuss a way to fix the problems. According to her, when a couple is in a place where they can trust and respect each other, she can guide them to be more creative with their problem-solving techniques.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766

Have you found yourself stuck in a love rut in your relationship? Are you and your partner feeling unfulfilled?

Sometimes, in a long-term, committed relationship, partners begin to feel that, despite their hops about each other, they aren’t being truly fulfilled the way they expected to be at the start of the relationship. As patterns of low expectations begin to form, many couples don’t know how to reach out to each other, confide their wants and needs, and find solutions to problems.

When there’s a prolonged power struggle, people start to feel frustrated, anxious and insecure, among other things. Sometimes, couples have been stuck in a “trouble spot” for too long, and they don’t have the skills to work their way out.

Today’s guest is Dr. Rebecca Matthews, a psychologist with 3-C Family Services who has an extensive background in both research and clinical work. Rebecca is here to discuss how partners can get out of their love rut and back to a place of happiness and content in their relationship.

To find out more about Rebecca and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 677-0101 to schedule an appointment.

Be sure to check out the 3-C Family Services one-day couples workshop series, A New Beginning. The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 27 from 8am to 4pm.

What’s the best way to support a spouse with anxiety?

Anxiety can be crippling at times. So what happens when one partner in a relationship or marriage is affected by it? What happens within the relationship? Anxiety can not only impair the life of the person afflicted, but also the life of the non-afflicted partner.

Today, we’re joined by Kate Thieda from KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services. Kate is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor. Kate lives in Durham, NC, and when she’s not helping couples with issues in their marriages, she can usually be found with her partner Annette, running, stand-up paddle boarding, or driving around town in her vintage Corvette.

Kate is the author of, Loving Someone With Anxiety, and is an expert in how anxiety can lead to crippling problems in a relationship. She’s here today to help all of us understand how the loved ones of those suffering from anxiety can offer support in positive, encouraging ways and without creating bigger problems.

Kate’s book can be found on Amazon or at your local Barnes & Noble retailer.

To find out more about Kate and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 493-1975 to schedule an appointment.

Are you giving your partner the support he or she needs and deserves?

It’s no secret that one of the most important factors in a successful relationship is how well the partners are able to support each other. To feel truly and unconditionally supported by a partner is something everyone wants, and it makes a world of difference in how a relationship is cared for and maintained.

The problem is that many people expect a “good partner” will instinctively know how to be supportive and will just say or do the right thing automatically. In reality, there are many different types of responses to stress and negativity and what each partner needs to feel support is ultimately about personal preference and should actually be discussed openly.

Our guest is Dr. Gabriella Johr, a licensed clinical psychologist with Orenstein Solutions located in Cary, NC. With a specialization in child and family therapy, Gabriella has had a great deal of experience helping married couples find the right ways to be supportive. Today she’s here to share some of her insightful pointers and tips on the art of offering support within relationships and marriages.

To find out more about Gabriella and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

Does your marriage have what it takes to unplug from the technology of the modern world?

Has technology killed your marriage? Modern technology can do almost anything, from translating a foreign language to shooting angry birds at random objects. No one could have ever suspected that something that is helpful with so many things could be at the root of all their marital problems.

Today’s overabundance of technology can take away a couple’s time with one another and replace it with hours in front of the computer. We have iPhone’s in the elevator, kindle’s on the couch, and laptops in the bed. Is your marriage strong enough to withstand the attacks from technology?

Jill Eilenberger joins us this week to advise us on the importance of unplugging our marriage. Jill Eilenberger has a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from UNC and has been working as a psychotherapist for 25 years. Jill is a licensed Clinical Social worker, Marital and Family Therapist and Imago Relationship Therapist. Jill is a former President of the Charlotte Chapter of American Association of Marital and Family Therapists and has been listed in the “Who’s Who of American Women.” Jill now runs her own private practice out of Charlotte, NC.

To find out more about Jill Eilenberger you can visit their website or call 704-591-0648 for an appointment.

The great paradox of wealth… As the money increases, do happiness and satisfaction increase too?

Despite the wonderful things money can provide, there is also a great deal of responsibility that comes with teaching and maintaining good moral standing with regard to wealth. Society has taught us that having a lot of money paves the way for increased power, higher social standing and a comfortable life. Unfortunately, however, complications arise when couples and families have a lot of money but fail to model and teach things like ethics, boundaries and respect for consequences.

Oftentimes, entitlement, depression, anxiety and substance abuse are strongly correlated with increases in wealth, and according to our guest Rob Danzman, a systemic type of narcissism can even develop as an outward family value.

Rob is the owner and clinical director of Fonthill Counseling in Chapel Hill, NC. With more than a decade of experience helping families work out difficult issues like substance abuse, mental illness and academic problems, Rob has seen his fair share of complicated. The good news is, Rob has solutions for some of these issues and is joining us to share pointers on building strong family values and goals.

To find out more about Rob and his practice, visit their website or call (919) 351-5838 to schedule an appointment.

Pets can be a source of joy, or a nightmare. Which kind of pet should you get, if any? How many is too many? Whose responsibility is it to take care of them?

The issues of pets are fairly easy to work out on your own, but when you and your spouse disagree about how many pets to have or what kind of pets to have or who will take care of them, then you might run into a whole lot of trouble. Should you be responsible for cleaning up after the dog your wife had from before you were married? Are your husband’s three cats driving you insane?

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, and she’s joining us to discuss how couples can come to an agreement on how to manage the pets they already have, and how to compromise on any desire for new furry friends. Susan says you can learn a lot about your partner by how he or she is with your pets or pets in general. For instance, if your partner is allergic to cats, the issue is about the cat. If your partner doesn’t think it’s important to make sure the dog gets a walk, you’re learning how he or she values animals; and if your partner is immune to your pet’s crying/pain, this could tell you how compassionate he or she is in general.

Susan is the Director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan specializes in adult relationship issues and has worked extensively in treating couples and individuals apoteketgenerisk.com.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

Is it possible to have a romantic vacation while also making the most of family time?

Perhaps you and your spouse are wanting to take a family vacation. But maybe you’re fearing that your kids with be antsy and bored, and that you and your partner won’t have any time for romance and fun. So what do you do with this dilemma?

Sometimes couples find themselves having completely kid-focused vacations in order to meet the “family togetherness” needs, but they don’t get a chance to pay attention to the marriage during the time off from work and away from home. Or maybe a couple might plan a romantic getaway without the kids because they find it difficult to work on romance with the children around. Either way, someone (…like your child) or something (…like the romance in your marriage) ends up left out of the mix.

According to today’s guest, Erica Blystone– a licensed clinical social worker with Lepage Associates— there are ways to have your cake and eat it too. You, in fact, can go on a family vacation and work on rekindling the romance in your marriage at the same time, and Erica is here to discuss how and give our listeners some pointers.

To find out more about Erica and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

Is it really possible to truly forgive and forget when it comes to infidelity?

Every human has needs. When it comes right down to it, greed can be one of those needs. More often than it should happen, in life, people look at what’s out there and suddenly what they have isn’t enough. As our guest, Dr. Scott Halztman, says, “we live in a culture that says ‘you can have what you want, when you want it.'” This means that there can be a lot left that falls to the wayside when the greed impulse takes over, and oftentimes broken marriages and relationships are left in the wake.

When mistakes are made and hearts are broken, is there ever a way to repair the damage, move on and grow?

Today’s guest says that it is possible to recover from an affair and he has detailed exactly how this can be done in his latest book, The Secrets of Surviving Infidelity.

Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Scott Haltzman is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. A graduate of Brown, Scott completed his psychiatric training and chief residency at Yale University before love for his Alma Mater took him back to Rhode Island to serve on the Brown University faculty.

To find out more about Scott and his latest book, The Secrets of Surviving Infidelity, visit his website or check him out on Facebook.

What is the key to being mindful in your marriage?

The idea of mindfulness is to be present to ourselves physically, emotionally, spiritually and literally in the moment. Being mindful involves focusing on your breathing and thoughts rather than projecting yourself into the future with worries and anxiety. Sometimes it is much easier, mentally, to think about the what ifs– What if this happens? What if that happens? What if we break up? What if we can’t afford this? In turn, what becomes more challenging is staying in the present moment.

When life is plagued with disconnection and stress, things can get tough. More and more people are finding themselves running on autopilot, essentially. They are not fully and deeply present with themselves and each other. And sadly, a lot of people end up just accepting this as the inevitable. If couples can learn to develop skills for mindfulness, however, their communication, expression and intimacy abilities will flourish.

Today’s guest is Dr. Kevin Metz, a couples specialist with Lepage Associates, and he’ll be discussing some of the techniques for mindfulness that he teaches and encourages in relationships. While helping people get back to a positive place in their marriages, Kevin inspires a level of discipline and mindful awareness.

To find out more about Kevin and his practice, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

What happens to a marriage when parents must begin to prepare for an empty nest?

When parents start to prepare to send their son or daughter off to college they are not only helping to ease the transition into college life for their child, but also paving the way for their own next steps… of marriage and an empty nest, that is. But many families aren’t exactly aware of the challenges that arise with big transitions and changes, and therefore they’re not as proactive as they could be.

Sometimes a couple isn’t really clear on the parenting roles that are played with kids in college. When this is the case, it’s easy for parents to be on different pages– and they might not have a solid plan for how they will respond to different crises and critical issues. With a little guidance, however, it can be easy and uplifting for a couple to get back to a positive place; a place where they successfully parent and maintain a long-standing marriage as a team.

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, the director of Orenstein Solutions. Susan says couples can fix these issues by working together to create plans for the expected and the unexpected. An empty nest doesn’t have to be a bad thing… it can, in fact, be just the beginning.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 968-8586

What’s the real story behind multiple marriages?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current marriage rate is 6.8 per 1000 people. Not so shockingly, the current divorce rate is 3.4. This means that, right now, 50 percent of marriages are ending in divorce. And with half of all marriages ending in divorce, more and more people are finding themselves remarried and categorized as multiple marriers.

We’re talkin’ two, three, four and even five marriages. Maybe more. What are the facts behind these kinds of situations? What are the statistics and how does the multiple marriage pattern become established in the first place? Oftentimes, serial marriers are perceived by society in a relatively negative or less respectable manner… but why? What has really become the most interesting is the expectations that surround marriage and family life.

Today’s guest is a multiple marrier herself, Pam Evans. While Pam serves as the senior director in the high tech sector of a Fortune 1000 company, she also doubles as an author and public speaker on the subject of multiple marriages. She has not only been featured on the Bay Area Independent Publishers List, but also on last summer’s Top 12 Book Pick List on “Spirited Woman.” She’s here to discuss the myths and truths of being a serial marrier.

To find out more about Pam and her adventures as a multiple marriage expert, check out her book Ring EXchange and visit her website.

Are you and your partner on the same team when it comes to parenting?

When two people get married, there are natural stressors that become apparent. When a child enters the picture, and there’s now parenting involved, certain marriage stressors are intensified. Let’s face it– there’s no manual for parenting. And while raising happy, healthy and confident children is the ultimate goal, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with it.

If a couple is frequently arguing about how to parent, much stress is added to the family unit and everyone ends up being miserable. If there’s constant bickering back and forth about logistics, there’s no room to create an atmosphere of warmth and support. Instead, there becomes an antagonistic way of interacting that puts everyone in the family on edge.

Today’s guest is Dr. Gabrielle Johr, a licensed clinical psychologist with Orenstein Solutions. Gabriella says the key to good parenting is team parenting, which means unfailingly supporting one another and bringing out the best in each other. And once the team mentality has been established, both parents become a model for cooperation and parenting becomes a little easier.

To find out more about Gabriella and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

In a marriage, what are the building blocks of trust?

According to the dictionary, trust is defined as “the assured reliance in the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” Having it is a critical factor and also the main foundation for any relationship, whether it’s a friendship, a parent-child relationship, or a marriage. Once trust is broken and an individual no longer feels that he or she can rely on their partner, the bond of faith can be very challenging to repair and rebuild.

Within a relationship, trust issues can stem from a multitude of problems–anything from emotional or physical affairs and hidden addictions to secrecy and lying. However, more subtle behaviors from spouses like constantly being late, being unreliable, or being insensitive can also shake the foundations of trust and honesty.

Today’s guest, Dr. Sara Salter of Wynns Family Psychology in Cary, NC, says the way to build strong, lasting trust within your marriage is to focus on certain specific factors including communication, openness and empathy. In addition to those, Sara has other important pointers and tips on how to build and maintain an unbreakable level of trust within your marriage.

To find out more about Sara and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 467-7777 to schedule an appointment.

Does physical fitness really play a part in maintaining a healthy and happy marriage?

These days, people’s lives are increasingly busy. Most waking moments are spent working full-time jobs, keeping up with household chores, and taking care of pesky responsibilities. At the end of the day, many couples feel too tired to do anything other than eat dinner, maybe watch some television, and go to bed. The problem, however, is that this leaves little time to care for and nurture the relationship which leads to a lack of communication, decreased sexual intimacy, and an overall lack of enjoyment in the marriage.

The good news is that there are ways to change the course of the marriage and improve it overall. And one of these ways is for couples to engage in outdoor or physical fitness activities with each other. With the spring season, in all its beautiful glory on the way, there is a plethora of fun activities and events that can be utilized. What better way to feel good than to soak up some sunshine?

Today’s guest is Colette Segalla, a psychologist with Lepage Associates who has worked with diverse populations of couples, families, and individuals. She says that better physical fitness can bring increased vitality to the relationship and improve both mental and sexual health.

To find out more about Colette and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

Is there a way to gain respect from your stepchildren without turning into an evil stepmonster?

We’ve all heard the famous stepmonster horror stories… like that of the workings of Lady Tremaine, Cinderella’s wicked stepmother. And they don’t turn out well… for the stepmoms, that is. Luckily it doesn’t have to be that way in real life. You, in fact, can have wonderful relationships with your stepchildren without overstepping your boundaries but while also maintaining a level of respect and admiration.

In many situations, couples that are married for the second (or even third) time find themselves bringing children into the mix and wondering how to raise and guide the children when there’s more than two parents involved. Oftentimes there are many unrealistic expectations placed on stepfamilies that can lead to a chaotic family life and destruction of the relationship between husband and wife.

Today’s guest is Claudette Chenevert, author of  31 Days to Better Communication for Stepfamilies. Also known as the Stepmom Coach, Claudette is a Master Certified Stepfamily Foundation Coach helping families and stepmoms gain a better understanding of how to manage stepfamily life.

To find out more about Claudette and her work as the Stepmom Coach, visit her website or call (703) 915-2470 for one-on-one coaching.

Is there a right way and a wrong way to argue?

The answer is yes. And the secret’s out. There is a right way and a wrong way to argue. Oftentimes when couples fight, it becomes husband versus wife, him against her. The issue with that, however, is that the entire sense of the “team” attitude within the couple gets lost in the mess.

With a relationship it’s not about not getting angry or not disagreeing because that’s unrealistic. The true key is staying emotionally connected to someone you view as a teammate in a generally positive way. According to relationship expert John Gottman, there are two types of problems within relationships: resolvable and perpetual; and two out of three problems are perpetual. Luckily, there are conflict resolution skills for each kind of problem that couples can learn and use to ultimately strengthen their marriages.

Today’s guest is Erica Blystone, a licensed clinical social worker with Lepage Associates. After more than 10 years of clinical work with adults, couples, children and families, Erica has seen her fair share of conflict within relationships, and she says there is a way to manage it effectively.

To find out more about Erica and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

Are you and your partner thinking outside the box when it comes to your relationship?

Say you’ve been married for 20 years… Or maybe even just two years… Is the relationship still fun and fresh? Are you and your partner getting the most out of your marriage? Sometimes couples that have been together for many years begin to feel a sense of staleness in their relationship. Maybe they have ongoing conflict and difficulty resolving it, or maybe they simply feel like they’ve lost the passion and excitement they once had.

When this happens to a couple, whether they’ve been together for 20 years or two years, the partners begin to grow apart and disconnect from each other. And to fix the ongoing problem, many couples end up forcing a solution by pushing harder and ultimately doing the same thing over and over again.

Interestingly, the solution to all this is far more attainable than most people think.

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, the Director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan says couples can reignite their passion and start having fun again simply by thinking outside the box. By doing even just one thing differently. And if you’re thinking you can’t do it– think again. Susan is here to share some of her creative and inspiring ideas for how couples can improve and strengthen their marriages.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, you can visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

We had our wedding, we had our honeymoon… Now what?

Think about your wedding day. Whether you’ve had it, or it hasn’t happened yet… Oftentimes, and especially in a society like ours, there’s a lot of pressure to make the wedding day perfect. To make sure everything is in order, to make sure the dresses are ready and the suits are pressed, to make sure the flowers will be beautiful and that all the guests will leave thinking, “hey, that was a really good time!”

But what about after the wedding? What happens when the guests have gone home, the party’s over and it’s just you and your new partner left with each other? Unfortunately, too many people spend a lot of time preparing for the wedding and not a whole lot of time thinking about what comes after- like how to actually make the marriage work successfully on a daily basis.

Today our guest is Kelly Saylor, a licensed professional counselor associate and marriage and family counselor associate with Healing Solutions Counseling Center in Charlotte, NC. According to Kelly, one of the most important things a married couple can do to help their relationship grow is to nurture the basic friendship they have with each other and the admiration they have for each other.

To find out more about Kelly and her practice, visit their website or call (704) 944-5530 t0 schedule an appointment.

If you and your partner are considering premarital or marital counseling, be sure to check out Healing Solutions’ programs here.

Are your sleeping habits affecting your marriage?

We all know sleep is important for our health. But how many of us really take into consideration the effects that a lack of sleep can have on not only our physical health, but our mental and emotional health as well? The sleeping habits that we enlist (or don’t enlist) can actually have an affect on nearly every aspect of our lives, including relationships and marriage.

For couples dealing with sleepless nights, or nights consisting of less-than-sound sleep, life and managing a marriage can be a little more difficult. What many people don’t consider is that there are many different types of sleep disorders that can ultimately effect your well being and the well being of your spouse.

Today we’re talking with Brent Brandow, Director of Operations for the Parkway SleepHealth Center in Cary, NC. According to him, sleep—or a lack thereof—has more of an impact on our daily lives and relationships than people might think. With a little diligence though, every problem can be fixed.

The Parkway SleepHealth Center is a comprehensive sleep health center that provides sleep physician consultations, diagnostic testing and treatment services for more than 80 sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia.

To find out more about the Parkway SleepHealth Center, visit their website or call (919) 462-8081 to schedule an appointment.