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Despite the fact that they’re family… What do you do when you just can’t stand to be around your in-laws?

Although you love your spouse, you might not always love his or her parents or siblings. So how do you make peace with them when there has always been tension? How do you reach a compromise that everyone in the family is okay with? Naturally, the goal is to develop a comfortable role for yourself with realistic expectations for what your in-laws can offer to you and what you can offer to them. It’s not always that simple though. And sometimes it can be even more difficult because it’s family.

When there’s a lack of support from the in-laws, it can put a lot of stress on a marriage and both partners individually. Sometimes couples don’t really know how to set healthy boundaries and limits, and they ultimately get caught up in never-ending family drama and turmoil.

Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Orenstein, the director of Orenstein Solutions in Cary, NC. Susan has worked with many couples who have faced these very issues, and she’s here to discuss a way to fix the problems. According to her, it is possible for couples to get to a place where they feel comfort and happiness with their in-laws… even after many years of struggle.

To find out more about Susan and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 428-2766 to schedule an appointment.

How can you and your partner manage change throughout your marriage? Do you both have what it takes to face the challenges change can bring?

Change is as inevitable as death and taxes, yet when people marry they don’t think very much about all of the ways their partner might change over time. Changes can come in many shapes and sizes and at various points throughout life and marriage. Changing career paths, changing religions, changing whether or not you want children or how you choose to spend or save money… The list goes on and on.

Sometimes dealing with change can be very difficult and confusing and can also put much stress on a marriage and both partners individually. If couples aren’t on the same page about how to manage different transformations throughout life, then they could very well argue a lot more which can lead to a build up of tension and resentment.

There are solutions, however, and today’s guest has some helpful pointers and tips for couples on how to manage big changes within their marriages and personal lives. Dr. Tina Lepage is the founder of Lepage Associates in Durham, NC. Among others, a specialty of hers is personal and professional relationships and with more than 15 years of experience serving clients, Tina has helped her fair share of couples dealing with many different issues.

To find out more about Tina and her practice, you can visit their website or call (919) 572-0000 to schedule an appointment.

What’s the best way to support a spouse with anxiety?

Anxiety can be crippling at times. So what happens when one partner in a relationship or marriage is affected by it? What happens within the relationship? Anxiety can not only impair the life of the person afflicted, but also the life of the non-afflicted partner.

Today, we’re joined by Kate Thieda from KKJ Forensic and Psychological Services. Kate is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate and National Certified Counselor. Kate lives in Durham, NC, and when she’s not helping couples with issues in their marriages, she can usually be found with her partner Annette, running, stand-up paddle boarding, or driving around town in her vintage Corvette.

Kate is the author of, Loving Someone With Anxiety, and is an expert in how anxiety can lead to crippling problems in a relationship. She’s here today to help all of us understand how the loved ones of those suffering from anxiety can offer support in positive, encouraging ways and without creating bigger problems.

Kate’s book can be found on Amazon or at your local Barnes & Noble retailer.

To find out more about Kate and her practice, visit their website or call (919) 493-1975 to schedule an appointment.