Renewed Relationships Counseling Group

11/22/2025

Body-image struggles don’t just affect how someone feels about themselves — they can quietly impact communication, intimacy, and connection in a relationship.

Our latest blog post explores why it happens and what couples can do to support each other with compassion.

Body image is deeply personal, yet it doesn't exist in a vacuum. The way you see and feel about your body shapes how you show up in your relationship, often without you realizing it. When you feel uncomfortable in your own skin, vulnerability becomes harder.

11/15/2025

Stephanie was recently quoted in a Care.com article on how parents can prioritize their partnership even when raising young children. She shared what many couples in therapy already know: that prioritizing your relationship isn’t selfish — it’s foundational.

A strong co-parent relationship, she explains, supports both emotional stability in the home and a deeper connection with your partner.

If parenting has you feeling disconnected or like you’re just “running on empty,” this is a reminder that your relationship deserves space, attention, and compassion too..

https://www.care.com/c/how-parents-can-prioritize-partnership/

Here are unique, expert-backed strategies to keep your relationship strong even during the most overwhelming seasons of parenting.

11/11/2025

Today, on Veterans Day, we honor those who have served — and the partners, spouses, and families who have served alongside them.

Service often involves sacrifice: time apart, uncertainty, emotional adjustment, and the ongoing work of reconnecting after difficult experiences.

Those sacrifices don’t end when someone comes home.
They show up in communication, in closeness, in patience.

If you or your partner has served, please know this:

The challenges you face are real.

Needing support does not diminish strength.

Relearning connection is a process, not a failure.

Today we honor courage.
We honor resilience.
And we honor the relationships that hold so much of that strength.

11/07/2025

A lot of couples quietly go through what I call the “roommate phase.”

You still get along. You share responsibilities. Life is functioning.
But the relationship starts to feel… flat.

The conversations are mostly about schedules and logistics.
Affection feels like one more task on the to-do list.
You’re connected, but not connected.

This phase is extremely common — especially during seasons of stress, parenting, career shifts, illness, or just long-term routine.

And here’s the important part:
The roommate phase isn’t a sign that the relationship is broken.
It’s a sign that the relationship needs intentional tending again.
Not a grand vacation.
Not a total overhaul.
Just small, meaningful reconnection:
• Ask a question you don’t already know the answer to.
• Sit next to each other instead of across the room.
• Share something you’re feeling, even if it’s small.
• Make eye contact when you say hello or goodbye.
• Touch a shoulder when you pass in the kitchen.

Small things — repeated — re-open emotional doors.
The goal isn’t to “fix” something broken.
It’s to remind each other: We’re still us.
Even in the busy, messy, ordinary days.

If your relationship feels like it has slipped into the roommate phase, we are here for support. Sometimes you just need a little guidance in finding your way there.

11/03/2025

“Rather than jumping straight to advice, what if your partner just needed to feel heard?”

In relationships, being heard often matters more than getting a fix. When we lean in, listen without trying to “solve,” we create connection—not distance. Check out my latest blog where I explore how shifting from problem-solving mode to listening mode can change everything.

When your partner shares a frustration or concern, your first instinct might be to jump in with solutions. You care about them and want to help fix whatever's wrong. But sometimes the most helpful thing you can do in that moment is simply listen.

10/21/2025

Infidelity can leave deep emotional wounds and uncertainty about the future of a relationship. Yet with the right support and guidance, healing and reconnection are possible.

In this new blog post, I explore how couples and individuals can begin to rebuild trust, process difficult emotions, and move forward with clarity and compassion.

Uncovering infidelity in your relationship—whether emotional, physical, or digital—can feel like the ground has suddenly shifted beneath you, leaving you overwhelmed and unsteady.

10/11/2025

🌿 World Mental Health Day 🌿

Today is a reminder that taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.

Mental health isn’t about being “happy all the time” — it’s about learning to navigate life’s ups and downs with awareness, compassion, and support. 💚

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just not like yourself lately, please remember — you don’t have to go through it alone. Reaching out for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an act of courage and self-respect.

Let today be a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself and the people you love. Sometimes even a small conversation can be the start of healing. 💬

10/09/2025

Marriage is beautiful, but being a newlywed is not always exactly what the honeymoon phase suggests.

In this blog post, I explore the expectations vs. reality of early married life and share wisdom every couple should know before those first bumps appear.

Curious what surprises might come — and how to support each other through them? Read it here ......

Marriage is often painted as the ultimate "happily ever after." In popular culture, it’s envisioned as a fairy tale ending where love conquers all. But although marriage certainly brings joy and fulfillment, it also opens a new chapter filled with unexpected challenges and adjustments.

10/06/2025

🌿 Facing the Fear of Starting Therapy 🌿

Thinking about starting therapy can bring up a lot of feelings — curiosity, hope… and sometimes fear. 💭

You’re not alone in that. Many people hesitate before reaching out for support.

You might worry:
🤍 “What if I don’t know what to say?”
🤍 “What if the therapist judges me?”
🤍 “What if it brings up emotions I’m not ready to face?”

These are all normal fears. Therapy can feel vulnerable — it asks us to slow down, turn inward, and be honest with ourselves in ways we might not be used to.

But here’s the truth: good therapy happens at your pace. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to dive in before you’re ready. A therapist’s role is to meet you where you are — with warmth, curiosity, and compassion — and help you build trust in the process, one step at a time.

Many people find that the hardest part is simply making that first appointment. From there, healing begins to unfold naturally. 🌱
If you’ve been thinking about therapy but feel hesitant, it might help to schedule a short consultation call — just to ask questions, learn what to expect, and see if it feels like a good fit.

✨ You deserve support. You deserve to feel understood. You don’t have to do it alone. ✨

09/28/2025

🍂 Fall is a Season of Change—It Can Be for Your Relationship Too 🍂

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, fall reminds us that change is a natural part of life. Just like seasons shift, relationships also move through seasons—times of connection, growth, and sometimes challenge.

Couples therapy offers a space to pause, reflect, and strengthen your bond—so you and your partner can move through changes together, not apart.

This fall, consider giving your relationship the same care and attention you give to cozying your home or planning traditions. Sometimes the smallest steps—like reaching out for support—can bring the greatest warmth and connection.

09/24/2025

✨ What to Expect in the Therapy Process ✨

Starting therapy can feel like a big step — and it’s natural to wonder what it will be like. Here’s a gentle roadmap:

🌱 First Sessions: We’ll spend time getting to know you — your story, your goals, and what’s bringing you in. Think of it as laying the foundation.

💬 Ongoing Sessions: Each week, we’ll explore your experiences, patterns, and emotions together. Therapy isn’t about judgment — it’s about understanding, growth, and healing.

🧩 The Process: Sometimes you’ll leave feeling lighter, other times more reflective. Both are part of meaningful progress.

🌟 Over Time: You may notice more clarity, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of self. Therapy isn’t instant — but it’s powerful, lasting work.

09/15/2025

Do you know your attachment style? Understanding this "template" we all develop for relationships is an important element of the work we do with couples and interesting to learn more about for yourself. Read more in our latest blog post here....

Have you ever wondered why you react in certain ways in relationships? Do you question why some people seem comfortable with intimacy while others pull away? Are you ever confused as to why conflicts with your partner can feel so overwhelming?