July 16, 2021

Starter Template for Family Contract Between Parents and Your Young Adult Child   Family Contract 1       Purpose The purpose of this document is to spell out what we expect from you and what you can expect from us during the next _____________ months.   In short, the goal of this contract is not to control you,

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May 7, 2021

About the TICES Log TICES is an acronym for Trigger, Image, Cognition, Emotions, Sensations.   T = Trigger, I = Image, C = Cognition, E = Emotion, S = Sensation.  The format of the TICES Log that I prefer can be previewed and downloaded at the end of this post. The TICES log is a simple

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April 6, 2021

The Big Blind Spot of OCDIn my over 25 years as a therapist, many people have ended up in my office who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Very seldom has OCD been the reason they sought therapy.  Why is this? First it causes depression and anxiety to a miserable degree while causing havoc in relationships.  These secondary issues become the focus. 

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April 6, 2021

This post is an updated version of an article I wrote a few years ago entitled, “How to Argue Constructively.” I’m including it here on StepsandTools.com because it may help you get the flavor of my approach to couples therapy and communication skills.State Your Purpose to Achieve UnderstandingOne characteristic of constructive arguing is to have

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April 6, 2021

Isn’t It Okay to Multi-Task While Having a Delicate Conversation?When I sit with a couple for marriage counseling, we often talk about a recent conflict that didn’t go well. Most of the time, a verbal fight between two people involves at least one of them trying to multi-task while “listening.” She: “You’re not listening!” He: “I heard everything

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