Andrea Gurney

10/21/2025

I love love! And I love studying relational science. So designing and piloting Marriage 101 at has been oh so much fun! I admit that I’m biased as a clinical psychologist who specializes in couples and family therapy, but I think every college and university should have a Marriage 101: Learning to Love Well and Build Lasting Relationships course.

Check out the full article here:
https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-marriage-101-should-be-a-required-college-course

09/15/2025

I’m the first to admit that I love being productive! As a matter of fact – sometimes weekends can be challenging for me if I feel like I didn’t “accomplish “anything… 😜 So if you’re anything like me, my friend – here’s a quick reminder as we head into another work week: productivity is not the end game!

In a culture that’s constantly telling us to do more, produce more, and accomplish more – may you remember that you are valuable and worthy regardless of your accomplishments!

09/10/2025

It’s not about how many disagreements you get into with your partner that matters - but rather what you do DURING and AFTER the argument.

Stay grounded and centered when things get heated (deep breathing helps with this!), check in with yourself and your partner (get curious about your thoughts and feelings AND **the story you’re telling yourself**), use “I” statements, and listen to understand rather than respond.

Most of all, take responsibility for your part AND make a bid for reparation!

09/05/2025

This list is purposefully simple! But trust me – if you put these three things into regular practice, the difference will be deep!

1. Be open and honest in your communication, Your partner is not a mind reader. They do not know exactly what you’re thinking or feeling – even if you think they should! So ask for what you’re hoping for. Share what your desire is. This actually requires that you pause and think about what you are wanting. 😉 If a situation is heated between you and a loved one, you are most likely a bit dysregulated and therefore reactive in your communication. So slow down and first think about what’s happening for you internally, and then share openly and honestly with your partner.

2. Listen to understand, not merely to respond. So often when we are engaged in conversation with loved ones we are thinking about what we’re going to say next, perhaps even how we can refute what they’re saying. In order to deepen intimacy, though, we must actively listen with the goal of understanding our partner‘s point of view. So put aside your agenda and simply listen.

3. Look for the good, my friend. And name it!! Gratitude is a game changer and when we express appreciation IRL we boost BOTH our mood and our partners!

!!

09/03/2025

✳️Share this with any college student you know!
✳️Tag three here for a chance to get a FREE copy of Reimagining Your Love Story!

As a professor, psychologist, and mama of two teenagers – here’s some things I believe every college student should be mindful of!

08/26/2025

Jesus modeled boundaries well!! 😇 May you, too, find the balance between togetherness and solitude, action and contemplation, speaking and listening.

08/22/2025

Give yourself permission to say no without needing to explain why. And remember: saying “no” to one thing allows you to say yes to something else.

What might you need to say no to?!

Remember this: Boundaries and self-care dance together! And you get to decide what boundaries you will hold to.

08/20/2025

Give yourself permission to say no without needing to explain why. And remember: saying “no” to one thing allows you to say yes to something else.

What might you need to say no to?!

Remember this: Boundaries and self-care dance together!

06/04/2025

Standing on the site of devastation and destruction was chilling. Tears filled my eyes watching original footage from WW11 at the “end of terror” exhibit at Völkerschlachtdenkmal.

80 years later, the remnants of combat were still evident in the monument walls.

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many…”

05/25/2025

04/19/2025

Oftentimes when we think about the threat of the third, it makes to envision a person. However, anything that is distracting to the marital bond can be a threat. What are some areas to be cautious of? 🩷

04/15/2025

Time is a hot commodity!! There are a million things that demand our attention. Make the time for the things that matter to you. It is very easy to put your marriage on the back burner, especially when life gets hectic. How can you make the time for your marriage?