These days, there’s a ton of great resources to help us improve our relationships! I’d love to share some of my current favorites with you. I hope they bring you practical tips and support so you can thrive and enjoy life to the fullest.
Focus Cincinnati
This is a one-of-a-kind personal growth intensive that my husband and I both participated in last year after our daughter and son-in-law encouraged us to attend. I’ve done a lot of work on myself, and that will probably never stop, but this experience blew me away in how unique, effective and productive it was. The people were amazing and the impact was profound. A year later the training I received continues to impact my work, my marriage, and the exercises frequently infiltrate my thought patterns.
Connected Couples podcast
Chad and Angela Imhoff, marriage and family therapists out of Arkansas, have created this podcast to help couples utilize and put into practice the Emotionally Focused Therapy process. This couple has a story of their own and they aren’t afraid to share it. They offer wisdom, encouragement, and exercises to try. I highly recommend listening!
The Marriage Journal
I try, and I encourage the couples I work with to try, to meet together weekly for a “state of the union” address. We need to consistently work on our relationship but sometimes we don’t even know where to begin. This journal, coming from a very gentle faith perspective, walks couples through some food for thought, a calendar page, and then six questions to discuss with each other weekly.
The Paired App
My husband, Mike, found this app for $6…and we’re loving it! We each answer a few questions and then the app pairs our answers to see how we match. There’s no right or wrong answer, it’s just an opportunity to discuss where we are each coming from and learn more about each other in order to strengthen our marriage and connection.
The Gottman Card Decks App
I used to recommend this app all the time and then forgot about it until Matt Smith, our relationship coach here at Married Life, discovered it and found it really helpful with some of his couples. It’s free and it works like multiple decks of cards partners can flip through to encourage couples to use emotion words, ask open ended questions, and talk about sex!
The Disconnected Man by Jim Turner
I probably shouldn’t recommend a book I haven’t even finished reading yet, but I think this issue is so relevant and important to the challenge couples face I can’t help but share. So many men have been told in many different ways to shut down, suppress and dismiss their emotions, it can really challenge relationships when they are then encouraged to feel and express those emotions.. The author, Jim Turner, tells his own personal story and journey through divorce and remarriage to connecting his heart and mind and he offers practical recommendations for men and the women who love them.
The ADHD Effect on Marriage by Melissa Orlov
If you know me, you know I love books, so I can’t help but recommend a second. This is a book that has been highly recommended by professionals and I am finally reading. For years, my husband and I have battled understanding the effects of ADHD on him and on our marriage. I’m not sure why I didn’t pick it up sooner but I’m finding it very helpful and practical. If ADHD impacts your relationship, I recommend this book!
I hope these resources encourage and support you individually and in your relationships! Please let me know your thoughts and I’ll look forward to hearing your feedback in the counseling office…or shoot me an email. 🙂
