he Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a metaphor describing the end of times in the New Testament. Relationship experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, use this metaphor to describe communication styles that often predict the end of a relationship. Through four decades of research, working with more than 3,000 couples, the Gottmans have also created a series of antidotes to battle the four horsemen.
Read MoreMany couples become gridlocked on issues. This means they have the same perpetual fight and cannot reach a conclusion or compromise. This is how many couples find themselves on my couch… Well, I guess on my computer screen these days. Many couples are now becoming gridlocked on issues surrounding the pandemic. I find these fights carry even more tension, as what one partner does can impact the other, as well as the entire family.
Read MoreThe steps seem so easy in this all too familiar playground song. We were taught at a young age that after you fall in love, you get married, then you have children… And then everyone lives happily ever after. We now know that relationships and love can come in many different forms and don’t always follow this simple childhood song; however, many still continue to believe in the fairytale of what we think life will look like after having a baby. For many, they believe their relationship will grow stronger, they will feel more in love, and live blissfully ever after when starting a family.
Read MoreLet’s talk about sex…Now that I have everyone’s attention, let’s really talk about sex. When a marriage is going through a dip, I often hear from my clients that their sexual intimacy also suffers. It makes sense because sex requires vulnerability with our partner.
Read MoreJuly’s highlighted position of the month, is the Sphinx Seduction. While a sexual experience is a time to emotionally connect with one another, it is also a great time to get your blood pumping and release physical energy together. In the midst of a quarantine, it could also help you both to feel more connected to one another and ease any stress that both of you might be feeling.
Read MoreIt’s officially June which means it is time to celebrate Pride across the world. While many Pride parades and celebrations have been postponed across the nation (including our own Houston Pride Parade) due to COVID-19, we are still celebrating you at Heights Family Counseling. June’s position of the month is the Navel Gazing. How many people enjoy being able to make eye contact while orally pleasing a partner? This is not an uncommon experience, but can be made more difficult to do when offering oral pleasure to a partner in a traditional position.
Read MoreEven though much of society is preparing for the re-opening of businesses, I still thought it pertinent to include some recommendations that have been posted for Sex and the Coronavirus Pandemic (found here). The safest recommended person to have sex with is still yourself (YAY - for masturbation), and then the next safest person being someone that you live with, as you are already vulnerable to being exposed to one another.
Read MoreWho grew up watching Cheers?!? The theme song was perfect. At its core, it was about yearning to heal and connect through spending time with familiar faces. That’s what makes this pandemic more difficult. We need to connect. We need to have our familiar comforts, but we likely feel limited with what’s available.
Read MoreThe world did not stop:
People chose to love each other enough to stay home.
Friendships became stronger as humans became more creative in connecting.
Which day is it for you? Number 14? Number 15? Do you have a boss in denial of the changing times and are just now beginning to navigate this new virtual life? Maybe you are an essential worker and are still required to leave the house in the morning, but your partner is now home… still working full time… trying to homeschool three kids and keep up with all the new messes.
Read MoreFinding yourself a bit stir crazy with all the quarantining/staying-at-home? Are you and your partner tired of working together at home and/or binge-watching things on TV? Finding yourselves with more time on your hands than usual; especially if either of you are staying home with child(ren) or due to working virtually?
Read MoreMarch’s highlighted position of the month, is the three-legged dog. A sexual experience is a time to emotionally connect with one another, but it is also a great time to get your blood pumping and release some physical energy together.
Read More