Turning Tension into Deeper Connection by Benita A. Esposito, M.A., LPC, LCMHC . My first mentor told me, “Conflict is a necessary part of intimacy.” I did not want to hear that. I hated conflict—but his words rang true. I knew I was not skilled at conflict management, and because of that, many of my […]
Why is empathy so important? Empathy is the emotional bridge that helps people feel seen, heard, loved, and understood. Empathy is not problem‑solving, fixing, or inserting your own feelings. When one partner shares a vulnerable emotion, and the other empathizes, they co-regulate. Their nervous systems calm and they feel more open to each other. When […]
In Part 3 of the “Building Bridges, Not Walls” series, the focus shifts to how vulnerability and self-awareness play a key role in improving conflict resolution in relationships. You’ll see how Linda learns the importance of managing her internal conflict before she talks with her husband. She learns to love herself and receive unconditional love […]
Part 1 of this series explored common conflict patterns in relationships, particularly the “attack-withdraw” cycle. In this pattern, one partner confronts an issue while the other withdraws or placates to get the heat off. Vulnerability is needed to break down emotional walls and build stronger connections. In Part 2 here, you’ll discover why you get […]
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, healthcare providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. Make sure your healthcare provider gives you a […]
