Marriage Falling Apart? Signs That You Need Couples Counseling

Couples, especially those in the midst of the lovey-dovey phase, tend to believe that marriage is an endless parade of happy days. But anyone who has been married long enough knows that staying committed is a lot of work. In fact, there are days when you simply cannot stand your spouse, and everything he or she does just ticks you off. “Is it really that hard to place your mug in the sink?,” you may have each said at one point. Of course, ups and downs are normal in any marriage. It’s just what happens when two people with different beliefs, backgrounds, and personalities co-habitate. There are times, however, that fights becomes a little bit too much. When any of the scenarios listed below happen to you, it may be time to seek couples counseling in Orange County: You’ve Stopped Talking Altogether Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship, so when you and your spouse stop talking, you have a serious problem.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/05/30/marriage-falling-apart-signs-need-couples-counseling/

Marriage Counseling Tips: Ways on Dealing with a Workaholic Spouse

These days, the 40-hour work week seems more and more like something from the distant past. Today, the average American puts in 47 hours of work each week, and many industries require their employees to work 12-hour days, including weekends. While many people prefer a work-life balance, some people are an exception. Workaholic employees, for example, are not only willing, but are more than happy to work grueling hours in the office. If you’re married to such a person, then you know the struggle of dealing with an “absentee” spouse. You’ve probably already lost count of the number of times your husband or wife failed to show up for a recital, game, birthday, and other important events in your family’s life. As an Orange County marriage counselor, I see this struggle often as couples attempt to keep up in an increasingly competitive market. But being competitive is different than an endless pursuit of “just a little bit more” that is the mantra of a workaholic.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/05/26/marriage-counseling-tips-ways-dealing-workaholic-spouse/

A Psychologist Takes a Deeper Look on the Hidden Signs of Depression

When you hear the word “depression,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, the word conjures images of people holed up in their room, so distraught that they can barely function in their day-to-day life. While depression can certainly look like this, did you know that many people are depressed without even knowing it? In fact, you may be depressed right at this very moment. Here are some of the symptoms that may mean that you need to see a reputable psychologist in Orange County. You’re Not Happy...or Unhappy You’re not jumping for joy, but you’re not sobbing uncontrollably either. You’re just...okay. If you find yourself in this weird gray zone, you may be turning off all your emotions in an attempt to block out unhappiness.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/05/23/psychologist-takes-deeper-look-hidden-signs-depression/

Are You a Perennial Procrastinator? Learn How a Therapist Can Help

You graduated as valedictorian of your class. You’ve aced every job interview, and now, you’re at a cushy job with great benefits. Even better, you deliver solid work, and your boss seems to be especially happy with your performance. Life should be fine and dandy, right? Only it’s not. Whether you’re finishing a report for your boss or preparing for a vacation, you seem to be always scrambling at the last minute just to get things done. You know you should have started days, if not weeks ago, but you simply couldn’t bring yourself to just do the work. Procrastination as a Symptom At the heart of all procrastination is perfectionism. You have such high standards that you fear not being able to deliver to the best of your abilities. As a result, you put off doing tasks--even critical--ones to avoid disappointing yourself and others.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/05/20/perennial-procrastinator-learn-therapist-can-help/

Couples Therapy—Three Mistakes Couples Should Avoid During a Conflict

A fight can trigger partners to do and say things they’ll regret later. It’s easy to see from the outside of a conflict that hurting each others through words and action wont help fix the problem. In fact, it only puts more strain on the relationship. Conflict is so much a natural part of any relationship that battles over the thermostat settings and number of blankets on the bed have become cliché and stereotyped.  Most couples disagree in these areas and so many more, simply because they are not identical people.  Obvious, right?  But regardless of the number of differences, or whether they will ever change, it’s what you and your partner do with conflicts as a couple that will determine your satisfaction as a couple.

https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/04/15/couples-therapy-three-mistakes-couples-avoid-conflict/

How a Marriage Counselor Can Turn Infidelity into Opportunity

It’s difficult to find a person whos life has not been impacted by infidelity, whether they know it or not.  Most often, affairs are eventually discovered and become a source of a lot of fighting, sadness and gossip.  Not only does the couple wrestle with the betrayal, but family and friends also struggle to understand what happened and how to move forward.  It’s easy to blame and point a finger at the offender to try and make sense of it all and move on quickly.  Make one person “good” and the other “bad.”  After all, if the offender is “bad,” then they just need to behave better or else a person can feel justified in divorcing.  In reality, the truth is often much deeper and involved.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/04/20/marriage-counselor-can-turn-infidelity-opportunity/

An Orange County Psychologist’s Guide to Taming Your Inner Critic

So what does your inner critic sound like?  Angry? Judgmental? Afraid? Does it make you feel doubtful, guilty, or ashamed of yourself? Does it shake your confidence so much you hesitate to pursue your dreams? If yes, then it’s time to learn how to take a stand against your own inner critic and quiet that noise in your head.

It’s natural to notice and compare to others and, realistically, you’re not going to be the same or even as good in some areas.  As an Orange County psychologist, I see many of my clients trying to “Keep up with the Joneses,” and it’s just not possible with the level of success it takes to live here.  Someone is always going to be doing better, but that’s not the problem.  Things start to spiral downward when you start to berate or criticize yourself and this can quickly begin to affect your life.
https://therelationfoundation.com/2016/04/25/orange-county-psychologists-guide-taming-inner-critic/