The Art of Compassionate Communication – Part 4: Speaking Your Needs Clearly || By Kevin Culver LPCC

This blog series has examined how to build deeper understanding and connection in relationships using Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s framework of Nonviolent Communication (NVC).  In the last post, we looked at the importance of identifying and expressing our core needs (previous blog link here). In this final blog, we’ll explore the last component of NVC: learning…

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The Art of Compassionate Communication – Part 3: Identifying Needs || By Kevin Culver LPCC

This series of blogs is focused on how we can improve communication in our relationships, both professionally and personally, specifically by using Rosenberg’s framework of nonviolent communication (NVC).  In the last blog, we identified the importance of objectively observing our experience and circumstances and then connecting it very specifically to how we feel (previous blog…

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The Art of Compassionate Communication – Part 2: Observing & Feeling || By Kevin Culver LPCC

This series of blogs is focused on how we can improve communication in our relationships, both professionally and personally, specifically by using Rosenberg’s framework of nonviolent communication (NVC).  In the last blog, we identified the roadblocks that often get in the way of understanding and collaboration in our communication – namely judgment, comparison, denial of…

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Accepting Difference || By By TJ Dubovich MFTC

We all know that our partner is going to have some differences from us. If they didn’t, we would be in a relationship with a clone… and maybe that’s your thing, but I’m guessing most of you want a partner that has differences that compliment or challenge you, creating excitement and nuance within the relationship.…

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Turning Towards || By TJ Dubovich MFTC

As a marriage and family therapist, I hear couples say things such as “I just don’t want to fight anymore” or “We have been fighting more recently and I’m concerned that means deeper issues in our relationship”. While increased, toxic conflict is not a good sign within a connection, conflict, in general, is neither a…

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