Does Marriage Have to Be Hard?

by Marianne Marlow, MA, LMHC | Jan 13, 2023 | Marriage, relationships

I realize that when I fully commit to anything in life, it will not necessarily be easy-peasy, but should my marriage be this hard? Successful marriages and long-term commitments require action from both partners, and sometimes it seems like work. Should it feel like...

Living with a Critical Partner

by Marianne Marlow, MA, LMHC | Oct 14, 2022 | Conflict, Marriage, Mental Health, Relationship

My partner is overly critical, especially about how I cook and clean. I am unsure if I can live like this forever, their nitpicking is chipping away at my self-esteem. Romantic relationships typically start off with people that are on their best behavior. As a couple...

Does Resentment Kill a Relationship?

by Marianne Marlow, MA, LMHC | Oct 7, 2022 | Communication, Conflict, Marriage, Relationship

Resentment is Just Anger That Isn’t Being Expressed Resentment can really damage a relationship, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the relationship. While we may think of anger being expressed as stomping around or slamming doors or, on the other hand, as...

Are You Passive-Aggressive in Your Relationship?

by Marianne Marlow, MA, LMHC | Jun 24, 2022 | Communication, Conflict, Marriage, Relationship

John sat down in the seat of his pickup truck. He slammed the door and laid into the gas pedal, but just enough for it to be obvious.He was furious with Cassie, his partner of five years, but he refused to tell her. She will figure it out once she realizes that I am...

I Just Discovered Infidelity, Now What?

by Marianne Marlow, MA, LMHC | May 27, 2022 | Infidelity, Marriage, Relationship

There is hope, your relationship can survive infidelity. No, it is not always easy, and healing can take time. The First Healing Steps After Discovering InfidelityThe first days and weeks after discovering that your partner has been unfaithful can be incredibly...