Here we are, Independence Day in the United States, marking the moment when the young colonies rejected ties to the British Crown. So many times, I have people "declare their independence" from their marriage...

.Resentment eats away at any relationship.  It can destroy a marriage.  Bitterness takes over and every good memory or thought is re-remembered and "bitter-ized"  The foundational connection in the relationship is sapped of energy.

"In our very first session, our therapist told me that we were divorcing and I need to accept it," Claire wrote. I invited people to submit questions. And Claire did. (You can, too, by EMAILING HERE.) Here is what happened:  Claire wanted to save her...

Do you have a question you want answered about marriage, marital problems, relationship issues, and how to save your marriage?  Send an email and ask your question.  If it is something that would benefit others,

The Pause Button.  You didn't know you hit it.  But you probably did. "We'll get back to each other after the kids/ promotion/ travels/ hobbies/ events/ friends... (well, you get the idea)." AFTER life, we will get back to love.

How do you make a shift, from painful communication to peaceful conversation? What if you have something difficult to discuss with your partner?  How do you start?  What do you do?  What path do you follow? My guest on the Save The Marriage Podcast,

I suppose I have seen marriages in pretty tough spots.  Destructive and hurting, I've watched relationships both heal and end.  I've also had the privilege of seeing some pretty amazing marriages. So, when I was asked by a client a few days ago,

Some marriages seem so fragile, ready to break at any time.  Many times, people work hard to protect that type of marriage.  It seems that anything can be the end of it! That fragility is not baked into the marriage.  It comes from a mindset,

When a marriage is struggle, stuck, and painful, you are likely stuck in an unconscious relationship.  Unconscious dynamics continue to push and pull at both of you, leading to disagreement, dissent, and disdain.

Every marriage crisis starts as a crisis of an individual.  As it expands into the marriage, the question is whether you, the spouse, will get pulled under by the crisis. Have you ever tried to save a drowning person? This can be kind of like that.