by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Apr 13, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
Here are two more reasons “communication” is not the answer to marriage problems. Reason #3: Emotional Impoverishment How many times do annoyed parents say, “Stop carrying on!” “Be a man!” “Don’t be a crybaby!” It...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 30, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
Michael was the culprit in this relationship with his wife, Jeanette, only he didn’t know it. As is often the case with abusive people, he blamed Jeanette for not “understanding” him. But today, as this couple speaks with me, Michael claims,...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 23, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
I thought I’d tell you a bit about me and about where I can see *you* going…. I have a Ph.D. But what I am most proud of is my children and grandchildren. They all came out well! (and cute!) I’ve got four children; three are married with kids and...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 16, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
“Those idiots,” Michael thought. “Can’t they see that they’re making a huge mistake?” Just then his boss, Jim, came in. “Michael, can you explain what, exactly, happened between you and the engineering team? Three people came...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 12, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
“Of course I know that people aren’t supposed to lose it,” Tammy said defensively. “I’m not stupid. I didn’t just get born yesterday. I know how to act. In fact,” she went on with an air of superiority about her,...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 9, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
When Shelly was three, she saw her mother smashing dishes in the kitchen and she became very frightened. She heard her father’s loud voice and she ran and hid in the back of her closet. She loved that closet. It was so large that there was plenty of room for a...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 5, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
“Maybe it’s the Fighting Irish in me,” Kelly said with an engaging smile, “but to answer your question, I prefer to get angry than to be civil and work assertively with someone who is bothering me.” Well, that was honest. Kelly came from a...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 3, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
I was reading Steven Stosny the other day and he said something profound. He has been working for decades on helping people who’ve been not merely angry, but sometimes enraged, to feel compassion. This is no easy matter because highly angry people often...
by DrDeb Hirschhorn | Mar 2, 2021 | Marriage and Relationships
Kim would work himself up into such a frenzy that he spit. When he was on a tirade, nothing could stop him. Even himself. The “himself” is the saddest part of this because in his quiet moments he hated his anger and he hated himself for it, but he could...
