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		<title>Healing Interactions in Relationships: How to Repair and Strengthen Your Closest Connections</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/healing-interactions-in-relationships/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:46:02 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Pressures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition to Parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=6010</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/healing-interactions-in-relationships/">Healing Interactions in Relationships: How to Repair and Strengthen Your Closest Connections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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			<h2 data-start="305" data-end="938">Healing Interactions in Relationships</h2>
<p data-start="305" data-end="938">Healing interactions are necessary when it comes to maintaining satisfying connection. When we lack them—or when they happen too infrequently—the landscape of our relationships can quickly begin to deteriorate. Healing interactions are not about rushing to resolution or checking a box. They are reciprocal, intentional, and designed to tap into the emotional core of an underlying need or conflict. It has often been said that behind every conflict lies a wish. In order to improve your ability to have effective healing interactions with someone you care about, it is necessary to deepen empathy, strengthen curiosity, and practice both consistently.</p>
<p data-start="305" data-end="938"><span id="more-6010"></span></p>
<h3 data-start="940" data-end="1435">Healing Interactions and Daily Communication</h3>
<p data-start="940" data-end="1435">As a clinician, my mission is to provide high quality, ethical, systemic, and holistic psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, and families. I approach this work with deep curiosity, respect for diverse lived experiences, and a dedication to helping clients move through meaningful growth processes. The ideas in this post are not a substitute for therapy, but rather a set of reflections that you can take into your own relationships and perhaps explore further in your personal work.</p>
<p data-start="1437" data-end="1806">Healing interactions are not talked about nearly enough. Yet, understanding how they work can help us better navigate the personal barriers we each bring into relationships. Below is a five-pronged approach to help you feel more grounded, intentional, and competent when it comes to navigating emotionally charged or difficult conversations with those closest to you.</p>
<h4 data-start="1813" data-end="1884">1. Begin with Intention: How Do I Want the Other Person to Feel?</h4>
<p data-start="1886" data-end="2173">Before initiating a difficult conversation, ask yourself: <em data-start="1944" data-end="2026">How do I want my partner, friend, or family member to feel when I approach them?</em> Calm? Soothed? Comfortable? Curious? Ready and willing? By clarifying this intention, you can set the tone for the interaction before it begins.</p>
<p data-start="2175" data-end="2569">This reflection often shifts our focus away from anxiety or defensiveness and toward empathy and kindness. For example, if your goal is for your partner to feel safe and open, you might soften your voice, choose a quiet time to talk, or express appreciation before raising a concern. These small adjustments help smooth the path toward repair and reduce the likelihood of conflict escalating.</p>
<h4 data-start="2576" data-end="2627">2. Identify What the Other Person is Seeking</h4>
<p data-start="2629" data-end="2833">Behind every conflict or point of tension, there is usually a wish. Ask yourself: <em data-start="2711" data-end="2756">What is my loved one actually seeking here?</em> Connection? Closeness? Reassurance? The sense of being seen or understood?</p>
<p data-start="2835" data-end="3104">It’s natural to fear opening up. You may worry about being dismissed, shut down, or misunderstood. On the other hand, when emotions run high, it can feel tempting to say too much, too fast, in ways that overwhelm the other person. Both extremes can hinder connection.</p>
<p data-start="3106" data-end="3449">A helpful alternative is to increase your self-awareness. You might even ask your partner directly: “How am I coming across to you right now?” or “How do you feel in this conversation?” By pausing to check in, you not only learn about their perspective, but you also send the message that you care about their experience as much as your own.</p>
<h4 data-start="3456" data-end="3517">3. Meeting Needs: Balancing Care for the Other with Care for Yourself</h4>
<p data-start="3519" data-end="3729">One of the central challenges in relationships is learning how to meet another person’s needs without losing yourself in the process. In moments of conflict, ask: <em data-start="3682" data-end="3727">What am I actually wanting or needing here?</em></p>
<p data-start="3731" data-end="4075">Sometimes our needs are clear—such as wanting comfort after a long day or asking for help with a responsibility. Other times, our needs are less obvious and harder to articulate. This is where self-reflection becomes critical. The more skilled we become at identifying and naming our needs, the more effectively we can express them to others.</p>
<p data-start="4077" data-end="4294">Equally important is recognizing that meeting a partner’s needs does not mean erasing your own. Healing interactions are grounded in reciprocity. Both partners must feel that their wishes and vulnerabilities matter.</p>
<h4 data-start="4301" data-end="4335">4. Showing Care and Concern</h4>
<p data-start="4337" data-end="4522">When healing interactions are most effective, they are infused with genuine care. Ask yourself: <em data-start="4433" data-end="4520">What can I do or say right now that would help the other person feel truly cared for?</em></p>
<p data-start="4524" data-end="4720">This doesn’t require grand gestures. Often, it is the small and thoughtful acts—a validating statement, a gentle touch, a willingness to listen without judgment—that foster safety and closeness.</p>
<p data-start="4722" data-end="5053">Many of us did not grow up learning how to communicate in ways that were both openhearted and constructive. It is easy to fall into patterns of criticism or defensiveness. But healing interactions invite us to shift toward speaking from the heart, being genuine without harshness, and assuming there is always more to understand.</p>
<p data-start="5055" data-end="5247">When we feel cared for, we naturally become more responsive in return. Even in moments of imperfection or misunderstanding, the commitment to staying connected is what creates lasting trust.</p>
<h4 data-start="5254" data-end="5286">5. Take Meaningful Action</h4>
<p data-start="5288" data-end="5499">The final step in a healing interaction is taking meaningful action. After listening, empathizing, and understanding, ask: <em data-start="5411" data-end="5497">What concrete action could I take that would make a difference for the other person?</em></p>
<p data-start="5501" data-end="5871">This might mean following through on a promise, adjusting a habit that has been hurtful, or showing up more consistently in ways that matter. Research consistently shows that <strong data-start="5676" data-end="5690">attunement</strong>—the ability to check in, confirm understanding, and respond in ways that align with the other person’s lived experience—is a critical component of lasting, satisfying connection.</p>
<p data-start="5873" data-end="6096">Healing interactions in relationships are not complete until words are backed by action. When we pair empathy with follow-through, we create tangible evidence that the relationship matters and that both people’s needs are taken seriously.</p>
<h3 data-start="6103" data-end="6127">Closing Reflection</h3>
<p data-start="6129" data-end="6397">Healing interactions are the lifeblood of resilient, fulfilling relationships. They require intention, empathy, reciprocity, care, and action. While the process can feel uncomfortable at times, it is within these moments of vulnerability that deeper bonds are built.</p>
<p data-start="6399" data-end="6693">As an action step, consider this: The next time you find yourself in conflict with someone you care about, pause and ask one simple question—<em data-start="6540" data-end="6582">“What is the wish behind this conflict?”</em> Just by identifying that underlying wish, you may find yourself more open to curiosity, empathy, and repair.</p>
<p data-start="6695" data-end="6908">Healing interactions are not about perfection; they are about the willingness to stay engaged, to care, and to keep trying. That willingness, practiced over time, is what helps love and connection grow stronger.</p>
<p data-start="6695" data-end="6908">For more on this topic, and to hear my complete conversation with the NYMFT network, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UTTROhcYogIiyRtEIdVny">tune in here</a>!</p>

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</div><p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/healing-interactions-in-relationships/">Healing Interactions in Relationships: How to Repair and Strengthen Your Closest Connections</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Returning to Therapy: Finding Steady Ground Amidst Change, Uncertainty, and Hope</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/returning-to-therapy-finding-steady-ground-amidst-change-uncertainty-and-hope/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:17:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nurturing Hope + Resilience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Process of Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coping Skills]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overwhelm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sadness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=6003</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/returning-to-therapy-finding-steady-ground-amidst-change-uncertainty-and-hope/">Returning to Therapy: Finding Steady Ground Amidst Change, Uncertainty, and Hope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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			<p data-start="288" data-end="542">Sometimes, life hands us more than one major transition at once. A new medical diagnosis. The emotional complexity of trying to conceive. An ever-present undercurrent of anxiety or uncertainty. And even in the midst of love and support, you can find yourself wondering:</p>
<p data-start="544" data-end="598"><strong data-start="544" data-end="598">How do I hold all of this? How do I stay grounded?</strong></p>
<p data-start="544" data-end="598"><span id="more-6003"></span></p>
<p data-start="600" data-end="979">If you’re here, it’s because something inside you knows: it’s time to return to therapy. Not because you’re falling apart—but because you’re ready to care for yourself in a deeper, more intentional way. You’ve done this work before. You know how powerful it can be. And now, in this new chapter, you’re seeking steady support as you move through it all—gracefully, but not alone.</p>
<h3 data-start="981" data-end="1030">You Are Carrying A Lot (And That Makes Sense)</h3>
<p data-start="1032" data-end="1356">Getting a new medical diagnosis can tilt your world off center—even when it&#8217;s manageable, even when you’re doing “all the right things.” It can bring up fear, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VYL7Zd4sFBluOjbaXnsTq">grief</a>, confusion, questions about what the future holds. Layer on the emotional process of trying to conceive—and it’s no wonder that anxiety has been louder lately.</p>
<p data-start="1358" data-end="1656">Let’s name what’s true: you’re navigating a swirl of hope and fear, of timelines and what-ifs, of medical appointments and emotional weight. You’re holding space for your body’s changing needs, your emotional waves, and your desire to stay open and connected to your partner in the midst of it all.</p>
<p data-start="1658" data-end="1692">Of course this feels overwhelming.</p>
<p data-start="1694" data-end="1880">You are doing your best to remain calm and present—but the anxiety? It creeps in. It fills the in-between moments. And when you’re already stretched thin, even small things can feel big.</p>
<p data-start="1882" data-end="1935">This isn’t about weakness. This is about being human.</p>
<h3 data-start="1937" data-end="2002">Returning to Therapy Isn’t a Step Back — It’s a Step Inward</h3>
<p data-start="2004" data-end="2165">Therapy isn’t just something we use when we’re in crisis. It’s a tool for returning to ourselves—especially in seasons where everything feels like it’s shifting.</p>
<p data-start="2167" data-end="2521">You’ve been here before. You know the kind of relief and insight it can bring. And now, you’re wiser. You’re more ready than ever to approach therapy with clarity about what you want to get from it: <strong data-start="2390" data-end="2521">stability, resilience, and a better way to manage the anxious moments that are taking up too much space in your head and heart.</strong></p>
<p data-start="2523" data-end="2782">You’re not looking for a magic fix. You’re looking for real tools. Emotional grounding. A space to process what’s happening medically, relationally, physically. You want to stay connected to yourself and your partner. You want to stay open, hopeful—and whole.</p>
<p data-start="2784" data-end="2822">That’s what therapy can offer you now.</p>
<h3 data-start="2824" data-end="2874">Your Relationship Is A Strength—and a Priority</h3>
<p data-start="2876" data-end="3124">Going through major transitions that require intense personal strength can challenge even the strongest relationships. A partner who listens, who shows up, who wants to support you through everything. That foundation matters. And it’s worth nurturing—especially in times of stress and uncertainty. Therapy helps to provide clarity, emotional support, and a space to process personal needs so that the relationship doesn&#8217;t suffer.</p>
<p data-start="3126" data-end="3293">You may have noticed something important: that while your partner is incredibly supportive, he sometimes holds back what’s going on inside of him. And that matters too.</p>
<p data-start="3295" data-end="3533">Wanting to be there for him as much as he’s been there for you is not just generous—it’s wise. Because relationships thrive when both people feel seen, heard, and emotionally supported. Especially during seasons of uncertainty and stress.</p>
<p data-start="3535" data-end="3563">Returning to therapy can help you to:</p>
<ul>
<li data-start="3567" data-end="3642">Stay attuned to your own emotional needs without shutting your partner out.</li>
<li data-start="3567" data-end="3642">Develop ways of inviting your partner into gentle, open conversations—even about the hard stuff.</li>
<li data-start="3567" data-end="3642">Explore how to better listen and emotionally engage with <em data-start="3801" data-end="3806">his</em> experience, while not losing yourself in the process.</li>
<li data-start="3567" data-end="3642">Keep your connection strong, even as you both navigate the emotional demands of this season.</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="3957" data-end="4096">This is <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/relational-health-and-emotional-wellbeing/202502/six-common-fears-about-starting-relationship">relationship work</a> through the lens of <em data-start="4003" data-end="4009">your</em> <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/services/individual-therapy/">individual therapy</a>. It’s subtle but powerful—and you’re more than capable of doing it.</p>
<h3 data-start="4098" data-end="4133">Navigating Anxiety in Real Time</h3>
<p data-start="4135" data-end="4521">The anxious moments you’re feeling now are likely very different from the ones you’ve experienced before. They may come out of nowhere—during a doctor’s visit, in the middle of a workday, late at night when your thoughts are racing. They may be tied to uncertainty about health, fertility, the future. Or they may simply be your body’s way of trying to make sense of all the “unknowns.”</p>
<p data-start="4523" data-end="4669">In therapy, we’ll create space for those moments—not to get stuck in them, but to understand what they’re trying to tell you. You’ll learn how to:</p>
<ul>
<li data-start="4673" data-end="4722">Recognize the early signals of anxious overwhelm.</li>
<li data-start="4673" data-end="4722">Stay with the feeling, instead of fighting it or running from it.</li>
<li data-start="4673" data-end="4722">Use grounding tools and nervous system regulation techniques to return to the present moment.</li>
<li data-start="4673" data-end="4722">Understand how your anxiety shows up in your body, your thoughts, and your patterns—and learn how to disrupt that loop with kindness and clarity.</li>
</ul>
<p data-start="5036" data-end="5130">This is work you don’t have to do alone. And you don’t have to wait until it feels unbearable.</p>
<h3 data-start="5132" data-end="5172">You Deserve Support <em data-start="5156" data-end="5161">Now</em>, Not Later</h3>
<p data-start="5174" data-end="5343">You’ve already made it through so much. You’ve shown up. You’ve stayed strong. But now it’s time to also be soft. To be supported. To stop pushing through without pause.</p>
<p data-start="5345" data-end="5549">Therapy gives you room to <em data-start="5371" data-end="5380">breathe&#8211;t</em>o feel, to clarify, to plan with peace instead of panic. To slow down without losing momentum. And to reconnect—to yourself, your body, your desires, and your future.</p>
<p data-start="5551" data-end="5763">Whether or not this season unfolds the way you hope, you deserve to move through it with steadiness, with dignity, and with the presence of someone in your corner—someone who’s there to hold space just for <em data-start="5757" data-end="5762">you</em>.</p>
<p data-start="5765" data-end="5791">You’re ready. Let’s begin.</p>
<p data-start="5798" data-end="5987" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><em data-start="5798" data-end="5987" data-is-last-node="">If this feels like your next right step, <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/contact-nyc-psychotherapist/">reach out</a> today. Therapy can be a powerful companion on your path toward more clarity, calm, and connection—even in life’s most uncertain seasons.</em></p>

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</div><p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/returning-to-therapy-finding-steady-ground-amidst-change-uncertainty-and-hope/">Returning to Therapy: Finding Steady Ground Amidst Change, Uncertainty, and Hope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Feeling Disappointed in Relationship? Read this ⬇️</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/feeling-disappointed-in-relationship-read-this-%e2%ac%87%ef%b8%8f/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition to Parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resilience]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=5661</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When the Qualities You Loved Become the Ones That Frustrate You There are certain qualities that naturally draw us to a romantic partner—traits that excite us, inspire us, and make us feel connected. But sometimes, those very same qualities that once felt so magnetic can later become a source of tension. For example, you might [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/feeling-disappointed-in-relationship-read-this-%e2%ac%87%ef%b8%8f/">Feeling Disappointed in Relationship? Read this ⬇️</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong data-start="185" data-end="252">When the Qualities You Loved Become the Ones That Frustrate You</strong></h2>
<p class="p1">There are certain qualities that naturally draw us to a romantic partner—traits that excite us, inspire us, and make us feel connected. But sometimes, those very same qualities that once felt so magnetic can later become a source of tension. For example, you might be drawn to someone’s ambition—their drive, their passion, the way they chase after their goals. But as time goes on, that ambition might start to feel like a wall between you, morphing into long work hours, missed plans, and a sense that quality time isn’t a priority.</p>
<p><span id="more-5661"></span></p>
<p class="p1">This doesn’t mean the person is flawed or that you made a mistake in choosing them. The truth is, every one of us is made up of qualities that both attract and challenge others. No one will be perfectly aligned with us in every way, and part of being in a relationship means developing a tolerance for the full spectrum of who someone is. It’s about making space—not just for the moments where everything feels easy, but also for the times when differences arise.</p>
<h2 data-start="878" data-end="936"><strong data-start="878" data-end="936">Learning to Navigate Disappointment Can Promote Growth</strong></h2>
<p data-start="938" data-end="1189">People will disappoint us. It’s part of being close. Real connection—especially lasting love—comes with risk. Hurt will happen. But pain doesn’t mean failure. It means we care. We’re alive. And love, like anything meaningful, comes with vulnerability.</p>
<p data-start="1191" data-end="1474">That doesn’t mean tolerating everything or abandoning your boundaries. It means recognizing that, just like we want to be accepted in full, our partners do too. When we create space for imperfection, we build trust. We grow our capacity to love with flexibility, strength, and grace.</p>
<h2 data-start="1481" data-end="1531"><strong data-start="1481" data-end="1531">Making Space for Imperfection in Relationships</strong></h2>
<p data-start="1533" data-end="1890">Disappointment in relationships can feel jarring—especially in your 30s and 40s, when you&#8217;re craving stability, depth, and emotional safety. Whether you&#8217;re with a longtime partner or in something new, the gap between what you imagined and what’s happening can feel wide. How you respond to that gap matters. It can either bring you closer—or push you apart.</p>
<p data-start="1892" data-end="2116">One powerful shift? Let others get it wrong sometimes. Without withdrawing love. Without assuming the worst. Without trying to reshape them. Stay curious. Stay kind. Let go of the urge to make others match your comfort zone.</p>
<p data-start="2118" data-end="2355">This isn’t about ignoring your needs. It’s about softening rigid expectations. It’s about allowing missteps without making them mean more than they do. Real connection grows in that space. It’s where empathy, growth, and resilience live.</p>
<h2 data-start="2362" data-end="2414"><strong data-start="2362" data-end="2414">Need Help Reconnecting? Try a Relational Tune-Up</strong></h2>
<p data-start="2416" data-end="2700">Feeling stuck in the same arguments or emotional patterns? You’re not alone. A <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/accelerated-programs/map-four-sessions/"><strong data-start="2495" data-end="2517">relational tune-up</strong></a> can help. These short-term, accelerated therapy sessions offer focused support when you need it most. They&#8217;re ideal if you’re ready for change—but don’t want to spend months waiting.</p>
<p data-start="2702" data-end="2849">With thoughtful, high-impact care, you can explore stuck dynamics, strengthen communication, and reconnect emotionally—with clarity and compassion.</p>
<p data-start="2851" data-end="2958">Because sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is make space—for growth, for grace, and for each other.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/feeling-disappointed-in-relationship-read-this-%e2%ac%87%ef%b8%8f/">Feeling Disappointed in Relationship? Read this ⬇️</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Learning how to set healthy boundaries&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/learning-how-to-set-healthy-boundaries/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:42:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Pressures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family-of-Origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mood + Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nurturing Hope + Resilience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[friendship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy boundaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[setting intentions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4671</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Setting better boundaries doesn&#8217;t happen overnight&#8230; Deepening your understanding of your current boundary needs and setting a plan to honor them is radical self-love. If you have a hard time setting boundaries, you might struggle to feel productive or that you&#8217;re truly tending to your own needs. Life often feels scary and overwhelming without them. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/learning-how-to-set-healthy-boundaries/">Learning how to set healthy boundaries&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Setting better boundaries doesn&#8217;t happen overnight&#8230;</h2>
<p>Deepening your understanding of your current boundary needs and setting a plan to honor them is radical self-love.</p>
<p><span id="more-4671"></span></p>
<p>If you have a hard time setting boundaries, you might struggle to feel productive or that you&#8217;re truly tending to your own needs. Life often feels scary and overwhelming without them. You set boundaries to protect yourself and so you can be at your best. Thinking carefully about your boundaries with self and others helps you to be more intentional.</p>
<p><strong>Can you think of a recent experience where you could have benefited from setting a better boundary?</strong></p>
<p>When I first started my private practice back in 2014, some of the advice I received was &#8220;you want to be available anytime so you can accommodate appointments.&#8221; It can be easy to overextend yourself in the service of others&#8211;especially as a therapist. While this may sound like a great idea in theory, what I&#8217;ve learned in my decade of being a practicing therapist is that offering the special service of therapy is a very energy-sensitive kind of offering&#8211;one that requires great care to deliver well. If I am not rested, nourished, or if I&#8217;m struggling in some way to meet my own needs, it&#8217;s not possible for me to provide the best possible service to my clients. In being thoughtful about my boundaries when it comes to type of offering/ when I offer my services and for how long, I am able to map out my time in such a way that allows me to be at my best.</p>
<p><strong>When you have good and clear boundaries with self and others, everyone wins.</strong> Because I have thought through my own needs, I&#8217;m able to be flexible in certain areas and I also know where I&#8217;m not able to be flexible.</p>
<h3>What do boundary problems look like?</h3>
<p>Boundary problems often present themselves in two ways: diffuse or rigid. When boundaries are too diffuse, we may struggle with enmeshed relationships. Essentially, there is too much closeness. When boundaries are too rigid, we might struggle to let someone in or build healthy connection with others. Essentially, we are too distant and have a hard time <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/why-is-trust-important/">trusting</a> others.</p>
<p>Boundary issues are important to correct and work on because they impact how we function in various relationships &#8212; with partners, colleagues, family members, friendships, and even on a first date.</p>
<blockquote><p>Boundary issues can cause serious problems if unaddressed because they can lead us to being taken advantage of, exploited, or unable to feel entitled to stand our ground on an issue. They can also lead to shutting people out, isolating ourselves, and not asking for help when we need it.</p></blockquote>
<p><strong>In real life this might look like:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Struggling to say no when you want to</li>
<li>Not listening to yourself/ going against your judgment</li>
<li>Indecision for fear of letting others down</li>
<li>Giving in too easily</li>
<li>Not being clear with others</li>
<li>Subordinating your needs to others</li>
<li>Withholding from others</li>
<li>Closing self off from connection</li>
<li>Struggling to reach out</li>
<li>Struggling to make meaningful connections</li>
</ul>
<h3>What are <strong>intra</strong>personal boundaries?</h3>
<p>A critical but often overlooked aspect of this work is <strong>intra</strong>personal boundaries or boundaries within self. We often think of boundaries in the context of being between people, but boundaries within self are just as important.</p>
<p>For example, how you might talk to yourself about engaging in a potentially harmful situation or leaving work at a normal time rather than overworking. Intrapersonal boundary work is especially important since we can&#8217;t change others, we can only change ourselves. You can begin to work on boundary issues by practicing out loud what it sounds like/ feels like to say &#8220;yes&#8221; and &#8220;no&#8221; in specific situations of your life.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ll share more about this in an upcoming post ; )</p>
<p>If you are struggling with this area, here are a few questions that might be helpful to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li>My ideal situation would be_____.</li>
<li>I wish _____ was different about _______.</li>
<li>What makes it tough to set a boundary when it comes to _______?</li>
<li>How would it feel to have a more clear boundary in place as it relates to _______?</li>
<li>What are my top priorities right now?</li>
<li>What are three areas of struggle for me right now and how long has it felt this way?</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/learning-how-to-set-healthy-boundaries/">Learning how to set healthy boundaries&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Characteristics of an Effective Stress-Reducing Conversation&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/characteristics-of-an-effective-stress-reducing-conversation/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2020 21:14:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[connection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Relationships]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4581</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>An Intentional Conversation to Promote Healthy Relationships A stress-reducing conversation is essential when it comes to maintaining a sense of connection and support within a close relationship. It helps us to feel loved, cared for, and valued. All of which help us to show the same to a partner. This kind of conversation doesn&#8217;t have [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/characteristics-of-an-effective-stress-reducing-conversation/">Characteristics of an Effective Stress-Reducing Conversation&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>An Intentional Conversation to Promote Healthy Relationships</h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A stress-reducing conversation is essential when it comes to maintaining a sense of connection and support within a close relationship. It helps us to feel loved, cared for, and valued. All of which help us to show the same to a partner. </span><span id="more-4581"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This kind of conversation doesn&#8217;t have to last for hours, it can be as simple as setting aside just 30-minutes to really tune in and be present with our loved one. </span></p>
<h3 class="p1"><span class="s1">An effective stress-reducing conversation looks like:</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Characteristics At-A-Glance</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">Sharing equally in the two roles: </span><span class="s1">Speaker<span class="Apple-converted-space"> &amp; </span>Listener</span></li>
<li class="p1">Setting aside 30-minutes to really tune into each other</li>
<li class="p1">Taking turns to share about a mild/moderate “outside stressor”</li>
<li class="p1">Each person taking equal time being both the speaker and listener</li>
<li class="p1">Listener role (quiet, attentive, curious, holds space)</li>
<li class="p1">Speaker role (open, honors self, takes space)</li>
<li class="p1">Taking your time when it’s your turn to speak (not rushing through)</li>
<li class="p1">Asking questions when you’re the listener</li>
<li class="p1">Listening like you would to a close friend</li>
<li>Checking in before offering your two cents  (Not jumping into “fix it mode”)</li>
<li>Taking your time to understand the other person’s perspective more deeply</li>
<li>Calm atmosphere</li>
<li>Giving other your full attention</li>
<li>Providing encouragement</li>
<li>“In it together” attitude</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="p1"><span class="s1">Structure of the conversation</span></h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Plan ahead because you will want to set aside time that is completely uninterrupted. If you both have busy schedules and other responsibilities, you will have to anticipate the barriers in order to be successful at reserving the time. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">When the time comes, sit across from each other and just take a moment to notice your breath and relax. You want this to be a gift to the relationship so you must be calm and alert. The more you can relax into your body, the more available you and your partner will be to each other. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Decide who will have what role first. So you will take turns being the speaker and the listener for about 15 minutes each. If you are not used to doing this in such a prescribed sort of way, just be patient with yourselves. It will get easier. Focus your energy inward for a moment. Once you have decided who will be what first, you can take on your respective roles:</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Listener:</b></span></p>
<ul>
<li class="p1"><span class="s1">You are listening as if you are a friend</span></li>
<li class="p1">Make eye contact</li>
<li class="p1">Just listen</li>
<li class="p1">Don&#8217;t interrupt</li>
<li class="p1">Don&#8217;t jump in with what you think you know will help</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is an exercise in truly listening and quieting yourself to be available to your partner ONLY.<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Just be in the space. Pay attention; it’s okay to ask questions. Try to put yourself in your partner’s shoes. Imagine what they are experiencing. Allow yourself to really take on the stress they are describing. What is that like? See if you can allow your partner to feel you truly understand. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Speaker</b></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Really take the time that is being given to you</li>
<li>Share from the heart about what&#8217;s really been causing some stress outside the relationship (mild-moderate)</li>
<li>Try to stay relaxed so you can really take the space</li>
<li>Share for about 15-minutes, go into detail on the issue</li>
</ul>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">And again&#8230;Don’t rush. Slow it wayyyyy down. TAKE. YOUR. TIME! </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">(It&#8217;ll be worth it!)</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I know for some of us this can feel incredibly hard to take space like this, but it’s important that we challenge ourselves to be paid attention to intimately like this. Take the space that is being offered to you. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s a beautiful thing to be heard and supported. Allow yourself to bask in the goodness of empathic attunement. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Your goal is to share freely a mild to moderate stressor that you’ve been struggling with lately. The stressor should be an outside of the relationship issue like a work deadline or an issue with a co-worker or friend, etc. <strong>Stay away from hot-button topics that might be too tough to tackle right now.</strong> This exercise is to help you focus on receiving support.</span></p>
<h3>Press pause to notice how you feel right now</h3>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">At the end of your 15-minutes with the first role, take a minute or two process how that felt. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Did you struggle to be the speaker? </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">What was it like for the listener? </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Did you find that some element of the role was hard for you to do? Which part felt hard and why do you think that might be? Is there something that felt difficult to engage in? </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">You may want to jot down on paper any feelings or little things you noticed in this role so you can explore it further at a later point. This helps us to increase our awareness and identify our true feelings. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">Now switch roles.</span></strong></p>
<p>Again, pause and see what that role felt like. How was it different? What did you notice?</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Practicing this type of conversation allows you to build more positive interactions into your day-to-day connection</strong>. This will help you to maintain a feeling of support and positive regard in your relationship and will helps to strengthen your bond. The goal would be to work up to having this type of conversation three-four days per week.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Let me know how it goes! </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/characteristics-of-an-effective-stress-reducing-conversation/">Characteristics of an Effective Stress-Reducing Conversation&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Do I need therapy? Maybe. Probably. Don’t we all?</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/do-i-need-therapy-maybe-probably-dont-we-all/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Oct 2019 22:36:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Pressures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family-of-Origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mood + Anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nurturing Hope + Resilience]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Process of Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Separation/ Divorce/ Breakups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sex + Affection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition to Parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4514</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We all go through times when we feel ill-equipped to navigate a tough situation or distant from ourselves and others. We might know something’s off but struggle to figure out exactly how to change it or what can be done to produce different results. Therapy offers a tailored approach to your personal development and improvement, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/do-i-need-therapy-maybe-probably-dont-we-all/">Do I need therapy? Maybe. Probably. Don’t we all?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We all go through times when we feel ill-equipped to navigate a tough situation or distant from ourselves and others. We might know something’s off but struggle to figure out exactly how to change it or what can be done to produce different results.</span></p>
<p><span id="more-4514"></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Therapy offers a tailored approach to your personal development and improvement, and it provides a safe space to address a variety of concerns that are preventing you from enjoying your life to the fullest.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">As a therapist, I can tell you that many of my clients reach out because they are struggling with a major life transition, a painful relationship issue, career related concerns, or a family conflict. Other times, people reach out to improve their physical intimacy and the quality of their communication with their partners. Sometimes they come in to develop healthy coping skills and work on living in more alignment with their personal values. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Additionally, some people come in to work on wounds that were never properly cleaned or ‘disinfected’ so-to-speak, and so the work involves ‘removing the bandaid,’ tending to the damage, and re-bandaging the wound so that it can finally heal.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">To help my clients, I first listen carefully not only to their personal stories and what brings them in, but also to the many different narratives that make up their unique identities. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I walk with people for little while, holding hope, strength, and the firm belief that things can improve…</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I founded Modern Marriage &amp; Family Therapy, PLLC to expand my capacity to help others to live fuller, more enjoyable lives by addressing issues and patterns that are acting as barriers to real connection and personal fulfillment. <strong>My  approach is based on the belief that the therapy experience should feel safe, open, honest, and constructive.</strong> I help my clients take the necessary steps to make their lives and relationships more fulfilling, productive, and easier. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">”We get together on the basis of our similarities, we grow on the basis of our differences.”</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">-Virginia Satir </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/do-i-need-therapy-maybe-probably-dont-we-all/">Do I need therapy? Maybe. Probably. Don’t we all?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>What is the Modern Accelerated Program (MAP 90-minute consultation) and How Can it Help?</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/what-is-the-modern-accelerated-program-map-90-minute-consultation-and-how-can-it-help/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2019 22:26:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family-of-Origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sex + Affection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition to Parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4492</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Healthy Relationships and Personal Growth The MAP 90-minute consult for couples provides a safe space to explore relationship concerns without the pressure to commit to ongoing weekly therapy as partners. I have found in my years of working with couples that sometimes a psychoeducational consultation is exactly what is needed. Improving Communication With a Partner [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/what-is-the-modern-accelerated-program-map-90-minute-consultation-and-how-can-it-help/">What is the Modern Accelerated Program (MAP 90-minute consultation) and How Can it Help?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>Healthy Relationships and Personal Growth</strong></h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/accelerated-programs/map-for-couples-consultation/">MAP 90-minute consult for couples</a> provides a safe space to explore relationship concerns without the pressure to commit to ongoing weekly therapy as partners. I have found in my years of working with couples that sometimes a psychoeducational consultation is exactly what is needed.</p>
<p><span id="more-4492"></span></p>
<h2><strong>Improving Communication With a Partner</strong></h2>
<p>&#8220;Communication issues&#8221; is the top reason couples seek help in my practice. Through my training and extensive experience, communication can be greatly improved once we know where the issue(s) stems from. What gets complicated is that each partner has their own subjective experience. If that experience is not understood and respected, difficulties arise.</p>
<p>I provide my clients with a much needed safe space and the tailored guidance to address these issues with the goal of creating a different experience in our session. Once we understand the cycle, partners can begin to develop the awareness and know-how to carry it into home life once our session is completed. So often, partners do not dedicate the time necessary to cultivate meaningful change. The MAP 90-minute consultation provides a blueprint for what this work can look like so you leave with a better sense for how to improve the feeling of being understood and listened to in your relationship.</p>
<h2>The Right Support Matters</h2>
<p>Communication involves an understanding of the issues and a sense of what the problem is from the other person&#8217;s perspective. It requires listening but also the ability to calm yourself so that important messages can be received. In my session, we review this together and have the opportunity to practice several activities designed to strengthen each partner&#8217;s ability to improve this necessary area.</p>
<p>If partners have never been in therapy before, we may spend some time talking about family-of-origin and helping each person to gain a deeper understanding of each other and how each individual came to be the person they are today. We will review concepts of compromise, how to self-soothe, how to soothe and comfort each other in ways that really work, and we will also cover how to reduce stress and improve connection using a unique tool that you can practice each week at home. This therapy consult provides you with a comforting and encouraging space to learn and grow and gain tools that you can use in life and in your most valued relationships.</p>
<h2><strong>Enhancing Intimacy in Relationships </strong></h2>
<p>Often, we are faced with what seems like an endless stream of responsibilities and obligations that it can feel like there is just not enough time to cultivate a strong sense of intimacy—with our partner or with others. It’s easy to try and go it alone, to withstand the pressures and struggles without a sense of closeness or support&#8211;but doing so is usually not sustainable for very long. According to therapist/ author Patricia Love, intimacy is a curious phenomenon in that most couples profess to want more of it, but few people can define what it is. She defines intimacy as communicating on a personal level.</p>
<p>Intimacy helps us to feel connected and understood. We must be careful not to confuse significant knowledge with a strong sense of intimacy. It’s possible to know a lot about your partner and lack a sense of intimacy. Rather, intimacy involves more of a meaningful sharing and responsiveness between partners.</p>
<p><strong>This powerful experience in relationship has the capacity to make us feel valued, cared for, and loved.</strong> As a therapist who helps people to enhance the quality of their relationships, I have seen many people improve their ability to experience greater intimacy in their lives through consistent effort and increased self-awareness. To start, it is helpful to create your own definition so you can begin to build awareness of your own needs when it comes to intimacy. In our consultation, you can expect that you will improve your intimacy by learning to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Give each other your full attention</li>
<li>Listen carefully for meaning</li>
<li>Validate each other’s reality</li>
</ul>
<p>The second point is key here because so often we can become easily caught up in content and fail to truly understand the meaning of what is being shared. Our tailored 90-minute session will help you get to the essence and meaning  &#8211; so you can experience each other with a new perspective. To begin your personal development journey, here are a few key questions to consider when thinking about improving intimacy in your life:</p>
<ul>
<li>What’s important about intimacy to me?</li>
<li>How comfortable am I in communicating my emotional wants and dislikes?</li>
<li>How do I tend to handle conflict in my relationships?</li>
<li>What&#8217;s one area I&#8217;d like to improve when it comes to my emotional responsiveness in relationships?</li>
<li>When do I feel most connected or fulfilled in my significant relationship(s)? Was there a particular situation that brought that feeling out this week? What contributed to my feelings of intimacy at that time?</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Intimacy, along with trust, desire, communication, and affection create a strong foundation for high quality relationships to flourish. The best part is&#8211; is that all of these areas can be further developed and improved!</strong></p>
<h2><strong>Coping with Major Life Transitions</strong></h2>
<p>Major life transitions can be super stressful. When we are struggling or feeling overwhelmed or going through a tough time, we are not at our best. Our fuse is short, we lack patience, and we might struggle to get the needed response and support from our partner. This can change with the help of an experienced and licensed therapist who knows how to help you make the shifts that create the desired result. We work together to help you experience relief so that you can stay strong and adaptable in your relationship and deepen the skills needed to move through the tough times. Perhaps you recently became parents, or maybe you decided to move in together, maybe you are going through changes in life that have greatly influenced how you experience the relationship as a whole; whatever you are going through that has caused tension or discomfort can be explored in the MAP for couples. I look forward to the opportunity to help you feel closer and more connected in your relationship!</p>
<p>Warmly,</p>
<p>Jennifer</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/what-is-the-modern-accelerated-program-map-90-minute-consultation-and-how-can-it-help/">What is the Modern Accelerated Program (MAP 90-minute consultation) and How Can it Help?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Deepening and Repairing Trust Involves This&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/why-is-trust-important/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 08 Sep 2019 03:54:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family-of-Origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4239</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>When trust feels solid, we feel a strong sense that we are on the same page with someone. We feel they truly understand and value us and respect our wishes and views. But how is it built? What exactly is involved? Trust is essential when it comes to intimate relationships &#8211; trust in ourselves and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/why-is-trust-important/">Deepening and Repairing Trust Involves This&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>When trust feels solid, we feel a strong sense that we are on the same page with someone. We feel they truly understand and value us and respect our wishes and views. But how is it built? What exactly is involved? <span id="more-4239"></span></p>
<p>Trust is essential when it comes to intimate relationships &#8211; trust in ourselves and in others. It can be very difficult to learn to trust again after a betrayal in a relationship. However, it&#8217;s important to recognize that betrayal pertains not only to relationships with others but also in relationship to self. Self-betrayal might look like a lack of congruence or when our actions and words and feelings are out of alignment.  So how do we deepen and sustain trust?</p>
<p>When trust has been broken in some way, or we are struggling to feel a strong sense of trust, it disrupts the entire ecosystem of a relationship. Understanding trust helps us have a language around the specifics so we can hone in and work on certain areas and also ask for what we need in relationships.</p>
<p>Brené Brown is a leading researcher and author on several topics regarding the human condition. Her contributions have been incredibly valuable as she delves deep into helping us understand important and difficult-to-talk-about-topics like trust, vulnerability, courage, shame, and their impact on human connection. In a recent talk, she shares:</p>
<blockquote><p>“If braving relationships with other people is braving connection, self-trust is braving self-love/ self-respect.” -Brene Brown</p></blockquote>
<p>What does is mean to truly value and respect ourselves? What does that look like? What does that really feel like? <em>*Journal prompt for self discovery: take a piece of paper or a journal and write out the following prompt: If I truly valued and respected myself, I would:</em></p>
<p>In a recent podcast, Dr. Brown discusses her acronym BRAVING to describe in greater detail what allows us to trust according to her years of research. Something that was striking to me was her focus on the importance of self-trust first.</p>
<p>As I was listening, I was also struck by how challenging this might be at times…what do you think might get in the way of building or deepening self-trust?</p>
<p>If this experience of self-trust wasn&#8217;t emphasized in our family-of-origin or our caregivers didn&#8217;t operate with self-trust themselves, how can we begin to develop self-trust as adults? Or, perhaps we&#8217;ve had a history of self-haring behaviors or tendencies toward self-sabotaging behaviors &#8211; which is common among adults who have experienced trauma, how then does that impact our ability to practice self-trust on a regular basis? How can we nurture a robust sense of self-trust so that we can also practice this in intimate relationships?</p>
<p>First, what is meant by trust?</p>
<p>According to Charles Feltman, author of <em>The Book of Trust</em>, &#8220;Trust is choosing to make something important to you vulnerable to the actions of someone else. Distrust is what I have shared with &#8211; that is important to me &#8211; is not safe with you.&#8221;</p>
<p>According to Dr. Brown, self-trust can be defined and explored using her acronym BRAVING:</p>
<p><strong>Boundaries</strong>—&#8221;Am I honoring my own boundaries?&#8221; &#8220;Am I paying attention to them when it comes to my self-care and relationships?&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Reliability</strong>—“Can I count on myself? “Am I following through on what I say I will do?” Am I consistently responding to my own needs? This also involves being clear and honest with yourself so that you don&#8217;t over deliver on your commitments.</p>
<p><strong>Accountability</strong>—“Am I holding myself accountable?” Am I willing to accept responsibility for my mistakes or where I went wrong? Can I acknowledge when I have made a mistake?</p>
<p><strong>Vault</strong>—-&#8220;Am I protective of my stories?&#8221; Maybe there are parts of yourself you want to keep private until a person has shown you they are worthy of  hearing your story? &#8220;When do I decide to let someone in and why?&#8221; &#8220;When does it feel safe to feel close and why?&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Integrity</strong>—-“Did I stay in my integrity?” Brené Brown defines this as:<br />
1. choosing courage over comfort/not taking the easy way out<br />
2. choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy<br />
3. practicing your values, not just professing your values</p>
<p><strong>Non-judgement</strong>—“Is it okay if I fall apart and ask for help sometimes?” “Am I judging myself harshly without any compassion?&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>Generosity</strong>—“Do I give myself the benefit of the doubt?” “Can I assume the generous thing about my words, intentions, and behaviors?&#8221;</p>
<p>How does all of this land for you? What do you think?</p>
<p>If you are struggling with self-trust and you are looking to learn and practice skills and deeper self-awareness, you may want to consider joining my upcoming Seeking Safety group starting in October. The group focuses on healing from trauma and self-harming tendencies. To register or to learn more, please contact me at 917.708.7088.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/why-is-trust-important/">Deepening and Repairing Trust Involves This&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>Relationship Lessons From Nature&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/relationship-lessons-from-nature/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2019 21:18:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4336</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I enjoy hiking but am not an avid hiker. It’s something I’d like to challenged myself to do more frequently. To help me engage this desire, I recently joined a casual hiking group in the area, and I was delighted (and a bit relieved) when I saw an “outdoorsy” movie screening come up on the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/relationship-lessons-from-nature/">Relationship Lessons From Nature&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I enjoy hiking but am not an avid hiker. It’s something I’d like to challenged myself to do more frequently. To help me engage this desire, I recently joined a casual hiking group in the area, and I was delighted (and a bit relieved) when I saw an “outdoorsy” movie screening come up on the group calendar thinking: this is probably a little more my speed at the present.</p>
<p><span id="more-4336"></span></p>
<p>The Littlest Big Farm is a documentary about the start of a self-sustainable farm that takes place over 8 years and centers around one couple’s journey to create a farm using more “old fashioned” farming techniques and practices that are not as common today amidst the abundance of factory farms. The film shows the incredible work ethic, clarity of purpose, and sticktoittiveness required to bring their vision to life and highlights the many significant ups and downs they experience along the way.</p>
<p>After working to raise capital to purchase some abandoned farmland outside of LA, they began to map out the necessary steps toward their vision. They had no idea what they were in for considering the soil on the land was completely dead and hadn&#8217;t been used for farming in many years. They would have to start at the very beginning. They had to accept that this task was going to be a process and their dream would have to unfold over a long period of time with dedicated and focused attention. The first step would have to be to nurture the soil back to life.</p>
<p>They encountered many problems along the way. It was interesting to observe that the more they tried to “snuff out” or correct (individually) a particular issue and isolate it from the system in which it was existing, the less successful they were and the more robust the problem became.</p>
<p>An example of this unfolded when snails began to eat the bark of the fruit trees at a rapid rate, slowly destroying the fruit trees themselves—at first the farmers decided to save the trees by painstakingly plucking each snail from each tree.</p>
<p>The farmers understandably felt demoralized. They wanted so much to make their vision a reality, but couldn&#8217;t seem to make it all come together.</p>
<p>Removing the snails was futile and not to mention completely unsustainable for the farm—the snails simply returned after being removed. When they took a step back and observed the systems at play that were informing the problem, they were able to implement practices that nurtured natural solutions.</p>
<p>For example, they discovered that the ducks on the farm ate the snails which then allowed the snail population to slowly decrease. In order for the diversity of the farm to flourish and for the creatures and plants to multiply at a healthy rate leading to the diversity they desired, they had to facilitate the interplay and strength of the ecosystems on the farm. This required them to listen carefully to all that the farm was communicating on a daily basis.</p>
<p>It is interesting to apply this logic and understanding to our own health and sustainability. If we consider what makes a healthy relationship, and the idea of what constitutes a “healthy intimate relationship,” it is more than only what occurs between individuals. It is the outside forces at play, the family, society, culture, experiences of oppression and each individual’s relationship to self that informs and influences the felt experience of the relationship.</p>
<p>Each of us is our own complex ecosystem where there are many processes unfolding on a regular basis. If we do not attend to our own natural processes and nourish our internal systems, it will be difficult to tune into and respond to our own needs and feel a sense of wellness. Further, the “brokenness” happening outside our relationship is critical to understand how it affects us and how to empower ourselves amidst the brokenness.</p>
<p>Health and well-being is not the result of doing just one particular thing or avoiding that one other thing; health has many components.</p>
<p>Problems and their solutions need to be explored in context in order to create sustainable long-term improvement.</p>
<p>In training to become a therapist, we learn about taking a bio-psycho-social approach to understanding presenting issues. While there may be a biological component to an issue, the presentation is also influenced by additional contexts. This can help us to think about optimal functioning instead of merely what&#8217;s not healthy. We can start to look at health from a holistic stance: it is a series of choices, an overall feeling, a disposition, a mindset, and comes from an acknowledgment that one problem can significantly influence the balance of health in our own internal system &#8211; and the systems involved in relating to and developing a sense of self.</p>
<p>So often, it is common for individuals and couples to approach therapy from a perspective of, “If I can just fix this one issue,”  or, “If I can just overcome this anxiety,” or, “If I could just improve communication with my partner, everything will be okay.”</p>
<p>While this reasoning in itself is not bad or wrong, we need to do more.</p>
<p>Desiring to address a particular problem and fantasizing that life will be better when the one issue is fixed is natural to romanticize. The simplicity of it all is a very tempting thought. However, in order to bring about sustainable healing and health, a deeper, systemic approach is often what&#8217;s needed.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/relationship-lessons-from-nature/">Relationship Lessons From Nature&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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		<title>The Benefits of Therapy&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.modernmft.com/intro-to-therapy/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jennifer Uhrlass]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Sep 2019 20:47:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Communication/ Conflict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Desire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emotional Pressures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family-of-Origin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Process of Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self-Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transition to Parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[process of therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[resilience]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.modernmft.com/?p=4333</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Everyone goes through times when they feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Or, times when they are struggling in important relationships &#8211; whether with parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, or partners. Therapy can help by allowing you the space to explore the source of the struggle(s)&#8230;to heal&#8230;to feel encouraged, to take action, and build hope about what’s [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/intro-to-therapy/">The Benefits of Therapy&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="s1">Everyone goes through times when they feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Or, times when they are struggling in important relationships &#8211; whether with parents, siblings, friends, co-workers, or partners. Therapy can help by allowing you the space to explore the source of the struggle(s)&#8230;to heal&#8230;to feel encouraged, to take action, and build hope about what’s possible for the future.</span></p>
<p><span id="more-4333"></span></p>
<h2>Reasons for Therapy</h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While mental and emotional health should be considered on par with taking care of one’s physical health, these critical needs are commonly overlooked and neglected. <strong>Exploring where we are stuck and addressing issues proactively is no doubt challenging work.</strong> As a therapist, it has been really wonderful to see that we are experiencing an exciting cultural shift as the stigma of therapy is reduced and more and more people pursue therapy and experience the many benefits. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Healthy Relationships &amp; Optimal Health</span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While many people can acknowledge that the quality of life is greatly influenced by the quality of our relationships, individuals often struggle alone for many years before seeking professional help. It is especially typical for couples to allow conflicts to worsen significantly before seeking the appropriate treatment. In fact, <strong>relationship research completed at the Gottman Institute shows that most couples wait on average, seven years from the onset of a problem before reaching out.</strong> So it&#8217;s a great idea to address issues as they present in life and not let them worsen significantly. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Often, we know something is off with how we are going about life and we know we want it to feel better, but we just haven&#8217;t considered therapy as an option &#8211; maybe we aren&#8217;t that familiar with it, or it just seems out of reach in some way. Often, people find they come to therapy when it simply doesn&#8217;t feel like an option not to. Usually, there is some sort of incident or experience that happened that finally triggers the action of actually calling and making an appointment. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Emotional Health &amp; Wellness is Rooted in Our Ability to Connect&#8230;</span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Meaningful connection to others is a key component of a happy life. However, we can all agree that life and relationships are messy at times.</strong> We know that despite being digitally connected to many people, loneliness is at an all time high in our current culture. A person can be quite accomplished in many aspects of life and simultaneously continue to struggle in other important areas including their relationships or ability to cope (in healthy ways) with life&#8217;s diverse challenges. Often, we can get into a damaging pattern of putting ourselves/ our needs last. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Therapy is a safe space to discuss what&#8217;s really happening in your life.</strong> It naturally provides accountability so that abstract future goals can begin to take shape and action steps can be taken. It offers personalized support, guidance, and encouragement to help you design and implement a better plan for yourself moving forward. Many of my clients report a significant increase in clarity from therapy, or this feeling that what was keeping them stuck in some sort of struggle is somehow lifted. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Therapy also provides the added benefit of more lasting results &#8211; so that the issues and frustrating moments that a person is currently experiencing can become much easier to handle and connection with others feels easier and less stressful. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Whether you are addressing relationship conflict or problematic patterns of anxiety or avoidance in relationships, dealing with destructive anger, developing healthier coping skills, or finding the courage to make a significant change in your life, therapy can help.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">The Therapy Experience is Unique to Each Individual&#8230;</span></h2>
<blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>The therapy room is a special place. It&#8217;s where a person can feel free to share what&#8217;s really going on in their life without fear of judgement. It&#8217;s where healing happens and resilience is strengthened. I love being a therapist because I get to develop a very unique and special kind of healing relationship that ultimately enables my clients to live a happier, more fulfilling life.</strong></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Whether I&#8217;m working with an individual or a couple, the therapy room is a vibrant place. Sometimes there is an emphasis on creating major change over an extended period of time and other times, therapy is used more intensively on a short term basis (I often do this type of work in the form of my Modern Accelerated Programs.)</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Relationship conflict, disconnection, frustration, and struggles around coping doesn&#8217;t have to stay problematic. With a desire to grow and a willingness to put in the effort, you can create a more fulfilling future. Many of my clients are adults in their 30s, and 40s who are dealing with relationship stressors, the process of dating and discovering what kind of relationships feel most fulfilling to them or are looking to enhance their ability to cope with stressful challenges and major life transitions in healthier ways. </span></p>
<blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Sometimes in looking more closely at their days, people realize that there are certain patterns that they are engaging in that really aren&#8217;t serving them or bringing them closer to the kind of life they most want to live.</strong></span></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Through therapy, we uncover the source of the struggles and work together to create healing, peace and fulfillment so that life feels easier.</span></p>
<p>If you know you want to go to therapy, but are struggling with the idea of how to make space during the work week for the recurring appointment, <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/how-to-talk-to-your-boss-about-your-mental-health">this article</a> provides a lot of valuable and helpful information regarding how to approach work about taking an extended lunch (for therapy) or allowing you to leave work early for therapy. While each person&#8217;s situation is different in terms of the flexibility they have access to, it is helpful to be aware of possible barriers and how to address them. Since therapy requires a weekly time commitment, it&#8217;s helpful to plan ahead and be prepared to advocate for yourself should you need to use part of your work day (one day a week) for personal development.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If you&#8217;d like to get started in therapy, I would be happy to talk with you. I can be reached at 917.708.7088 to schedule a session. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Warmly,</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Jennifer Uhrlass, Licensed Marriage &amp; Family Therapist</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.modernmft.com/intro-to-therapy/">The Benefits of Therapy&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.modernmft.com">Modern MFT</a>.</p>
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