To understand how to create a casual relationship that fits your wants and needs, you first need to understand what a casual relationship is; the phrase casual dating and casual relationship are interchangeable and can mean different things to different people. Key takeaways: casual relationships are a valid form of relationship that … [Read more...] about How to Make Casual Relationships Work For You
How do you know when you should break up your relationship? It's often a huge emotional decision that doesn't have an easy answer, yet it's something many of us with a history of relationships have grappled with at one time or another. There's no such thing as a perfect relationship, but if you're currently in a healthy relationship, it's … [Read more...] about How to Know When it’s Time to Break Up
Whoever said long-distance relationships aren't hard has undoubtedly never been in one. Long-distance relationships are becoming more common for many couples due to ‘fly in, fly out' (FIFO) work, the massive increase in people travelling overseas, and the globalisation of today's world where living and working in another state or country is easier … [Read more...] about The Best Advice for Anyone in Long-distance Relationships
Guest post by Amanda Woolveridge In my work as a psychotherapist and couples counsellor, I often hear the word “intimacy” in my therapy room when talking to couples about their relationship. But what does it mean and how do we achieve it and maintain it in our significant relationships? It isn’t just the domain of our romantic relationships, … [Read more...] about Intimacy: What is it and how do you achieve it in your relationship?
Many people interested in couples therapy hesitate because they're not sure what to expect. That can be scary, but I'm here to allay your fears. If your relationship needs professional help, you can count on the Gottman Relationship Checkup to kickstart your work together as a couple and help you get the most out of relationship … [Read more...] about The Gottman Relationship Checkup for Couples: How Healthy is Your Relationship?
If you find yourself single this holiday season, reluctant to do anything except stay home and indulge various vices, take heart: it’s a time of year like any other. It’s just been so co-opted by capitalism that we’re bombarded with holiday images and expectations from early November through the New Year. With media messages that the … [Read more...] about 6 Tips for Finding Love This Holiday Season
Hugging, while it's usually regarded as a simple and everyday act, has been found by scientists to radically alter one's outlook for the better and affect the way our brains work in the long term. According to a study from PLOS One, after social and/or relationship conflict, giving and receiving hugs with the other person will increase good … [Read more...] about The Surprising Science of Hugs
I recently spoke with Melanie Tait on the ABC Radio Nightlife program about open relationships. This was a fascinating discussion with some interesting callers on the talkback sharing their experiences. In this interview I answer the following questions: How common is it for couples to have an open relationship? How have … [Read more...] about Is an Open Relationship Right for You? Relationship Therapist Clinton Power Speaks on ABC Radio
All couples experience conflict, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The goal of a successful relationship is not to eliminate conflict, but to repair effectively after conflicts occur. This takes relationship skills—which can be learned! Let’s discuss some of what argumentative couples have in common. Why is relationship conflict so … [Read more...] about How to Fight Fair: The Pros and Cons of Conflict
No two people in a relationship are going to have the exact same sexual desire, but when it becomes a chronic problem, it might be time to seek help. The most common myths about desire In our culture, sexual education is spotty at best. Many of us get a lot of our ideas about sex from movies and pornography, and those aren’t always the healthiest … [Read more...] about The Real Reason You’re Not Having More Sex in Your Relationship
