Much of the mental health and psychology literature has focused on the mother and the mother’s attachment. But what about our fathers? As children, we need a healthy father figure. It doesn’t have to be a biological father. It could …
Tag: Relationships
Breaking Family Cycles
My dad was a welder. He worked until he retired at 65. He did manual labour. He worked hard. To him, being a successful adult meant working hard, being frugal and staying safe. He didn’t know anyone who had gone …
Conflict and Connection
Conflict provides an opportunity for a deeper connection. Most of us are not taught this. We are taught that conflict is scary and to be avoided. We might have learnt from our family of origin that conflict results in physical …
Give Up Being Right
Research in relationships shows that men find it more difficult than women to accept influence from their partners (see J. Gottman’s research). But, let’s face it, we can all love to win, and we are living in a culture that …
Having To Be Right
Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who has to be right all the time? It can be so frustrating. Even when there is evidence that they are wrong, they won’t openly say, “oh, I was wrong”, they …
How to Reconnect After An Argument
We all know those uncomfortable few minutes after a heated discussion. The argument's energy is hanging in the air, and you are both processing what was said. If your trauma response has been activated, you might be calming your nervous …
Is Dissociation the Result of Trauma?
Let me know in the comments if you find this dissociation series helpful in understanding yourself or someone you love. Wherever you are on your healing journey, big love to you, Jen