SF Counseling Center

Relationships

Holidays – Your Quick Survival Guide (part 1 of 3 Understanding the Problem)

Communication, Conflict, Holidays, Relationships / By

Idealized Expectations During the Holidays One of the biggest concerns on many people’s minds at this time of the year is how to survive the holidays.  Sure, in the popular media there are depictions of families happily gathering together in a cozy setting to enjoy very special time together.  Increasingly, however, those images are being …

Holidays – Your Quick Survival Guide (part 1 of 3 Understanding the Problem) Read More »

Low Self-Esteem, Fear of Rejection and Lack of Intimacy: Three Common Sources of Relationship Problems

Couple, Intimacy, Relationships, Self-Esteem / By

These three common issues: low self-esteem, fear of rejection and lack of intimacy seem to constellate in many relationships and often cause subtle, gradual but very significant damage to the relationship.  They can act quietly, like an undiagnosed illness in the background – eating away at the fabric of the relationship.  Often, what is left is bickering and fighting – which may actually be an unconscious attempt at establishing some form of intimacy – even if it is a negative way (better than not at all!).

10 Important Reasons Being in a Relationship is So Hard

Attachment, Communication, Couple, Intimacy, Marriage, Relationships / By

Have you ever wondered why being in a relationship is so hard? We are going to explore 10 important factors. But, first let’s start with a metaphor. I wake up in the morning and decide to check my email. Sometimes my computer drops the connection with my router; it is confused by the signals of all of …

10 Important Reasons Being in a Relationship is So Hard Read More »

5 Important Sources of Relationship Disappointment

Communication, Couple, Couples Counseling, Relationships / By

Is this you?  You are in a relationship for over a year, and now you feel anger, disappointment, resentment, and stress?  It all seemed to be going great.  Your partner is fun and attractive.  Why aren’t things going as they should? There can be several reasons, here are the top 5: Communication (or really, lack …

5 Important Sources of Relationship Disappointment Read More »

Relationships and Concentric Rings

Relationships / By

Using the image of concentric rings as a metaphor to understand the variety of relationships in which we participate. Different ‘rings’ have different requirements and different expectations. This idea can help us navigate expectations and feelings in relationships.