Marriage – Page 3 – The Esposito Institute

Marriage Essentials: Appreciation and Affection

November 23, 2014/in Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

Do you know that expressing appreciation is one of the essential ingredients of a happy marriage? That’s right. According to Dr. John Gottman’s research, we must express at least five positive interactions to neutralize the impact of one negative interaction. In really happy marriages, couples express 20 positives to every one negative. The mostly destructive interactions contain criticism, defensiveness, contempt or stonewalling. When we express ourselves in this way without effective repair attempts, Gottman predicts divorce with 94% accuracy. Read more

Overcoming Communication Challenges

March 5, 2013/in Dating, Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

Surefire Ways to Create an Honest and Connected Relationship
An Interview with Drs. Gay and Katie Hendricks.

I took the following notes while listening to Arielle Ford interview Gay and Katie Hendricks, relationship experts whom I highly respect. Much of my couples work is similar to theirs, and I am happy to share their insights with you. If you use these techniques, your relationship WILL improve! Read more

12 Agreements for Healthy Relationships

February 14, 2013/in Articles, Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

1. Vulnerability + authenticity + empathy = safety and intimacy
2. Tell the truth faster.
3. Ask: What can I do to love my partner in more purity?
4. Increase your ability to love yourself deeply.
5. Find the innermost pain, be non-judgmental. Stay present. Breathe! Read more

Marriage Story: From Cold War to Resurrection

October 7, 2012/in Articles, Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

“Our Journey Together With Benita A. Esposito”

In the following story, you’ll see how a distressed couple on the verge of divorce transformed their marriage in six months. The story is told by the wife. Scroll to the end to read about the breakthroughs and what worked in therapy.

Marriage Counseling Story. Healing the Physical Heart and Emotional Heart.

August 10, 2012/in Articles, Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

Research published by the American Medical Association indicates that 90% of all disease is stress-related. Our mind, body, emotions, spirit and relationships intricately affect each other. When we heal the emotional or spiritual root of dis-ease, pain can ease up. Sometimes other physical symptoms vanish completely. I’ll show you what I mean in the following story. Emily’s heart condition and her emotional pain healed when her husband joined her in counseling. Psychotherapy can accelerate healing, and is used as an adjunct to medicine. Read more

Marriage Counseling, Increasing Marital Intimacy: Carol’s Story.

July 25, 2012/in Marriage, Relationships/by Benita Esposito

Carol’s heart was racing. She thought it could be a heart attack so she went to the emergency room. An MRI revealed no heart dysfunction so her doctor diagnosed it as a panic attack. She came to therapy because she wanted to discover the underlying cause so she could heal the condition without drugs.

Session 1. Carol opened our first session by explaining her recent medical emergency and then announced, “Let me tell you what I think is really causing this. It’s my relationship with my husband!”