Author name: Written By Caleb Birkhoff

The holidays can bring joy, connection… and a little bit of chaos. Deciding whose family to visit, which traditions to keep, and how to spend your time together can surface old expectations and new emotions. But these conversations aren’t just about logistics, they’re about building the kind of relationship and family culture you actually want.

Explore how to talk with your partner about creating meaningful holiday traditions; whether you’re blending families, starting new rituals, or simply looking to make this season feel more intentional. You’ll find thoughtful questions to ask, “green flag” responses that show alignment, and ways to navigate tricky moments with grace.

Because the best traditions aren’t inherited—they’re created together.

Deciding whether, or when, to have children can be one of the most defining conversations in a relationship. It touches everything from identity and purpose to values, culture, and emotional readiness. Explore how to have thoughtful, open, and emotionally safe conversations about parenthood; whether you’re feeling ready, uncertain, or somewhere in between. You’ll learn how to ask meaningful questions, spot “green flag” answers, and navigate moments of difference with empathy and curiosity.

Importantly, we also discuss how choosing not to have children is just as valid and intentional as choosing to become parents. Family can take many forms, and what matters most is the care, love, and meaning you build together. With guidance rooted in research and real-life relationship insight, this piece helps couples move beyond fear and into clarity, building deeper trust and understanding no matter what they decide.

Talking about money can be uncomfortable, even in healthy, connected relationships. When there’s a noticeable difference in earnings, those conversations can bring up complicated emotions around worth, identity, and fairness. But handled with care, they can actually deepen trust and connection.

Explore how couples can talk about financial differences with empathy, curiosity, and teamwork. You’ll find guidance on how to start money conversations for the first time, what to do if the topic catches you off guard, and how to reframe income gaps as opportunities for shared growth.

Because at its core, this isn’t just about money; it’s about understanding one another’s values, histories, and hopes for the future. Whether you’re earning more, less, or somewhere in between, these conversations can strengthen your foundation and help you build a relationship defined by collaboration and care.

Planning a wedding is more than choosing flowers or venues; it’s one of the first big opportunities couples have to practice teamwork, compromise, and long-term vision. While it’s easy to get caught up in logistics, the deeper conversations about values, family expectations, and shared goals are what make this season truly meaningful. When approached thoughtfully, wedding planning can strengthen communication and build a foundation for a resilient marriage.

Explore the conversations worth having before diving into details, milestones that signal readiness, and practical questions that bring couples closer. From navigating finances to balancing family input, these conversations are less about stress and more about building a partnership. And if the process ever feels overwhelming, therapy offers a supportive space to align, connect, and create a wedding (and marriage) that reflects who you are together.

Thinking about getting engaged? Engagement isn’t just about a ring or a proposal; it’s about aligning values, setting intentions, and building a shared vision for the future. Explore the conversations every couple should have before saying “yes,” the milestones that signal readiness, and the practical logistics (like family expectations, timelines, and finances) that help keep your relationship strong.

Discover hopeful, concrete strategies to turn a potentially nerve-wracking talk into an opportunity for closeness and clarity. Whether you’re excited, nervous, or somewhere in between, these conversations can set the foundation not just for a wedding, but for a marriage built on trust and teamwork.

Thinking about moving in with your partner? It’s one of the bigger milestones in a relationship; exciting, meaningful, and sometimes overwhelming. Moving in together isn’t just about signing a lease or deciding whose couch to keep, it’s about blending routines, values, and long-term vision.

Examine how to approach the decision thoughtfully: what conversations to have before you pack a single box, milestones that signal readiness, questions that reveal green flags (and cautionary signs), and the practical logistics you’ll want to consider. Done well, moving in together can be more than a convenience, it can be a foundation for lasting intimacy and teamwork.

There’s support that can give you the tools to make this transition smoother and more intentional.

Couples therapy isn’t just for relationships in crisis, it’s one of the best investments you can make when things are going well. Explore couples therapy as preventative maintenance: a way to strengthen emotional connection, navigate cultural or family differences, prepare for major life transitions, and avoid repeating painful patterns from the past.

Whether you’re engaged and considering premarital counseling, wanting to build resilience before a big move, or simply looking to deepen intimacy, preventative therapy offers tools that help your relationship not only last but thrive. Couples therapy is a powerful way to honor the relationship you’re building and protect its future.

Intimacy is more than just physical closeness, it’s the glue that holds long-term relationships together. Break down the different types of intimacy and why each one matters for building a resilient and lasting partnership. You’ll find practical activities to bring more closeness into your daily life, like gratitude rituals, open-ended questions, and shared adventures, along with insights into common habits that quietly chip away at intimacy.

If you’ve ever felt like you love your partner but miss feeling truly connected, this is for you. Uncover hopeful, actionable strategies to help you and your partner move from disconnection to deeper intimacy; one small, intentional step at a time.

Are you in a situationship, a friends with benefits arrangement, or something else entirely? When it comes to modern dating, the lines can blur, fast. Unpack the key differences between situationships and FWB dynamics, why people choose one over the other, and what it actually takes for either to evolve into a committed relationship. We’ll explore the emotional, relational, and practical implications of each, plus give you tools to identify your own needs, communicate them clearly, and make choices that align with your values. Also, learn how to spot whether you and your partner (or potential partner) are on the same page, and what to do if you’re not.

Explore what healthy boundaries look like when you’re on the receiving end. Whether you’re dating, in a long-term relationship, or navigating family dynamics, we’ll help you understand how to respond with empathy, even when you don’t fully agree or understand. From repair after overstepping to recognizing unspoken limits, we offer grounded, real-world tools to help you show up with care.

We also explore the misuse of therapy language, how “boundaries” can sometimes be wielded to avoid conflict or control others, and what to do when that happens. This post is full of practical suggestions, examples, and therapist-informed insight to support more open, honest, and emotionally safe relationships.