I had the pleasure of speaking with my colleague John Aiken, who is a Sydney clinical psychologist. John was recently the co-host of a hit ABC TV reality show called Making Couples Happy. He is also the co-author of the book Making Couples Happy:Â How science can help get relationships back on track. I go behind the scenes of the TV show and … [Read more...] about Making Couples Happy: An Interview with Clinical Psychologist and Author John Aiken
Relationship Tips
What’s the Secret to Desire in Long-Term Relationships?
One of the most common issues I hear from the couples I work with in long-term relationships, is loss of passion or sexual desire. Esther Perel, author of the book Mating in Captivity is a world-renowed expert on issues of sexuality and sexual desire in couples. Here's a great video of her summarising her ideas about what kills sexual desire … [Read more...] about What’s the Secret to Desire in Long-Term Relationships?
Couple Conflict: How to Resolve Recurring Arguments and Create Win-Win Outcomes
This is one of my favourite relationship quotes. If you can't see the image above, it says, "You Can be RIGHT or you can be in RELATIONSHIP". I'm not sure who said it or where it comes from, but I like it because it really captures the dilemma that many couples find themselves in. And this doesn't just apply to couple communication. It's also … [Read more...] about Couple Conflict: How to Resolve Recurring Arguments and Create Win-Win Outcomes
25 New Year Healthy Relationship Resolutions
You're probably aware that the majority of New Year's resolutions that people make fail within a couple of months. Healthy relationship resolutions are no exception. There's a whole raft of reasons for this, which include problems with commitment, lack of planning, low personal motivation, lack of accountability, self-sabotaging beliefs and … [Read more...] about 25 New Year Healthy Relationship Resolutions
Long-distance Relationships: Can They Work?
A long-distance relationship can be a challenge for even the strongest love relationship. Many clients ask me what can be done to make them work? There may be no simple answer, but there are things that can help or hinder love that is hampered by the tyranny of distance. With the influence of technology on relationships by … [Read more...] about Long-distance Relationships: Can They Work?
Couple Money Problems: Binding Financial Agreements [Video]
One of the main issues that all couples struggle with is related to money. Money issues are particularly challenging when couples have differing levels of income and asset pools when they enter into a relationship. I recently spoke with Sydney solicitor Bhavesh Mistry about binding financial agreements and how they can help couples … [Read more...] about Couple Money Problems: Binding Financial Agreements [Video]
Wired for Love Relationships: Are You an Island, Wave, or Anchor?
In his book Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner's Brain Attachment Style Can Help You Diffuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship, American author and psychotherapist Stan Tatkin speaks about how a partner's attachment style can affect the way a person deals with conflict and their ability to form a secure relationship. Key … [Read more...] about Wired for Love Relationships: Are You an Island, Wave, or Anchor?
7 Signs You’re in a Relationship with a Narcissist
If you feel that something is not quite right in your relationship, where you're constantly walking on eggshells, fearful of being chastised for not meeting your partner's expectations, and on the receiving end of ongoing criticism and abuse, it's possible you may be in a narcissistic relationship. A narcissist is a term that refers to a … [Read more...] about 7 Signs You’re in a Relationship with a Narcissist
Are Your New Year’s Relationship Resolutions SMART?
There is a moment at the beginning of something new – like the first day of a new year – when we take in a breath of air, pause quietly within and wonder about the ways we may change or be changed. In a way, it’s a moment in which we hover between what we were and who we will be.  This is especially more powerful when the newness in a … [Read more...] about Are Your New Year’s Relationship Resolutions SMART?
The Power of Giving and Receiving Love
I recently volunteered for a charity day called Help-Portrait, which I found to be a surprisingly moving experience. This got me thinking about the power of giving and receiving love in our relationships- and the difficulties many people have with this. This post explores the joys and challenges of giving and receiving love in intimate … [Read more...] about The Power of Giving and Receiving Love