Fall's Here -- Couple's Return Home

As we slide on into October, Seattleites also begin their preparations to transition much of their time back to indoor activities. Much of that time ends up being time at home. We see a lot more of our loved ones and partners as the clouds start hanging in The Sound. When relationships are working well, the time at home can be just as enriching. If there are tensions, pains, and frustrations that can be avoided while outside and active -- the discord is much harder to avoid when fall and winter bring you face to face with your partner.
Disagreements are a given. If the disagreements are confronted and discussed, a couple has an opportunity for deeper understanding and a chance to work together as a team. Your intuition can gauge how productive your arguments unfold and resolve. Believe it or not, having the same arguments and differences of opinions do not mean the relationship is doomed. People in lasting relationships disagree about more things than they do agree. The ways in which arguments are approached are more telling of a relationship's resiliency.  Arguments where respect is lost, a person feels insecure, shut down, or like they're walking on eggshells -- these are feelings that signal deeper issues are influencing interactions with a partner.
Some helpful advice in soundbite form:

Build opportunities for teamwork: Find some chores and projects to take on together. Cook some meals together. Recognize those moments that you do agree about solutions.
Make time for quality time: Set a date night. Eat meals together.
Stoke warmth and intimacy: Massages, Cuddling, Day at the spa, adventures, and, yes, of course, sex.
Stay curious: Have an authentic interest in your partner, their growth, their feelings. You need not interrogate, but show that you simply are curious to know about their day, what was enjoyed, what was difficult, and what was noteworthy.

Staying Current

Taking the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) in order to continue providing independent services for Service Members and their family. It's been study, study, study... now the moment of Aletheia.