What is Stonewalling and Are You Guilty of It...

Defensiveness is a common reaction to criticism, where individuals become protective and guarded, perceiving a threat to their self-esteem or sense of identity. It is a natural response when feeling attacked, but if it becomes a habitual pattern, it can damage relationships and h ...  Show more

Contempt in relationships is not only destructive, it's the single biggest predictor of relationship failure. It's a pervasive feeling of disrespect, anger, and disapproval that goes beyond just feeling frustrated with your partner. In this episode, Pye and Dr. Glen explore the c ...  Show more

Do you feel like your partner shuts you down or tells you whatever you want to hear in order to stop a conversation that makes them feel [anxious / tense / criticized / fill in the blank] even though that is not your intention? Or do you get emotionally flooded even *thinking* a ...  Show more

Do you and your partner struggle to communicate? Have you ever experienced… - Things you thought were small issues turn into a blowout fight. - Your partner tells you they feel criticized. - You see your partner walk away in conflict and it makes you upset.         - You’re unsur ...  Show more

Was that just a nasty fight? Or a sign that your relationship is failing?  As a longtime marriage counselor, I know that it can be hard to spot the difference. Some forms of conflict are healthy and even beneficial for relationships, while others are a signal that your emotional ...  Show more

The scenario is that your partner makes a comment, you sense they are a little irritated. They may very well have a frustration but have expressed it with a mild (level 2) upset. Yet you are not in a conflict or argument. But as you talk back and forth, you start giv ...