Bella Ouaknine, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

12/15/2025

Healthy relationships are not defined by constant happiness or chemistry.
They are built through accountability, emotional regulation, clear communication, and repair after conflict.
A healthy relationship feels safe.
You can express your needs without fear.
You work as a team rather than against each other.
You focus on growth, not perfection.




If you are wondering what a secure relationship actually looks like, these signs are a good place to start.

12/07/2025

So many couples get stuck in this cycle: one partner tries to communicate, and the other hears criticism instead of connection.
It’s not because they don’t care — it’s because their nervous system learned to protect them, not open up.

When you understand why avoidant partners react the way they do, you stop taking it personally and start seeing the fear underneath.
This is where real change begins.

11/24/2025

Learning to connect with an avoidantly attached partner isn’t about chasing, pushing, or demanding more closeness.
It’s about understanding their nervous system, offering safety, and choosing connection over pressure.

Avoidantly attached partners aren’t cold — they’re overwhelmed.
And when you shift your approach, the whole relationship changes.
If you want deeper intimacy, steadier communication, and a partner who feels safe enough to move toward you instead of away…
these slides will help you get there.

11/13/2025

Controversial but true.
If you already share a life together, the phone should not be the one place that feels off-limits. This is not about control or checking up on your partner. It is about transparency, emotional safety and removing unnecessary doubt.
Healthy relationships grow in the light, not in secrecy.
If something is meant to be trusted, it should be able to be seen.

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11/10/2025

Conflict isn’t a sign your relationship is failing. It’s a sign you’re both trying to be heard. 💬
Healthy couples don’t avoid disagreements- they learn how to repair through them.
Here’s your quick guide to slowing down, listening better, and finding common ground again.

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11/09/2025

True connection isn’t built on grand gestures or perfect alignment — it’s built on the small moments of give and take.
Compromise doesn’t mean losing yourself; it means choosing the relationship, not just your comfort.
Healthy love asks both people to stretch, listen, and meet each other somewhere in the middle.

10/30/2025

Our early experiences shape how we connect - but they don’t define our future.
Learning your attachment style helps you understand your triggers, needs, and emotional patterns - and gives you the power to rewrite them.
Whether you lean anxious, avoidant, or disorganized, healing begins with awareness and gentle curiosity.

10/10/2025

Trust isn’t something you find - it’s something you build.
These 5 pillars show what it really takes to create unbreakable trust in a relationship that lasts.
It’s not about perfection - it’s about honesty, consistency, empathy, and repair.
When your words, actions, and intentions align, safety and connection naturally grow.
💬 Which pillar do you think matters most for you right now?

10/03/2025

Feelings are important, but behaviors are what create safety, trust, and connection. 💙
Pay attention to the actions that match the words.

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08/30/2025

Accountability isn’t optional in relationships, it’s the fuel for growth, trust, and healing.
It’s not about taking all the blame, but about dropping defensiveness and reflecting: What can I do differently here? That mindset shift is what turns conflict into deeper connection.

Even if accountability feels threatening or like criticism, it’s really an invitation- to repair, to be seen, and to build emotional safety.
When each person claims their part, the relationship doesn’t just survive; it evolves. That’s accountability in action.

08/29/2025

So many people fall into the trap of trying to manage their partner’s emotions- fixing moods, predicting feelings, or carrying the weight of reactions. But here’s the truth:
It’s not your job to manage someone else’s inner world.

Healthy relationships are built when:

✔️ Each person takes responsibility for their own feelings
✔️ Partners communicate directly instead of expecting mind-reading
✔️ Boundaries are respected, not blurred

Letting your partner have their own emotional experience doesn’t mean you don’t care- it means you trust them, and you respect yourself enough to hold your own boundaries.
Boundaries are not distance, they are clarity.

Bella Ouaknine, LMFT, guides couples, individuals, and families to overcome obstacles through

08/29/2025

Strong couples don’t wait until things boil over.
A simple weekly check-in can keep your relationship healthy, connected, and resilient.
It’s not about being perfect- it’s about staying intentional.