Couples Therapy

There is a kind of comfort that brings no peace, no joy, and no growth, yet still keeps many people stuck. It is the uncomfortable comfort of staying where you are, even unhappy, feeling fear of the unknown. Many people are not okay with their choices, their relationships, or their routines. They know something needs to change. They know other possibilities exist. And yet, they cannot act. Not because they are unaware of their suffering, but because the unknown feels more thr

In many relationships, control doesn’t appear loudly or aggressively. Sometimes it shows up in subtle, everyday moments - in opinions that feel "obviously right," in decisions made with good intentions, or in the belief that doing things one way  is simply better than any other option. Often, controlling behavior is not driven by the desire to dominate, but by insecurity and fear. The problem is that when control becomes the main way to feel safe, it slowly reshapes the emoti

We live in a world that constantly measures value by results: productivity, achievements, performance, how much we get done in a day. Without noticing, many of us begin to believe that our worth depends on how useful, efficient, helpful, or "successful" we are. But there’s a gentle and powerful truth we often forget: we deserve to be liked, loved, and respected simply because we exist. What does it mean to like ourselves for who we are? Liking ourselves for who we are means r

We live in an era where people intensely want  to love, but are increasingly unable to sustain  a relationship. This contradiction has been called liquid love , inspired by sociologist Zygmunt Bauman, and it describes our current landscape well: fragile bonds, easily discarded, where the search for love exists, but the emotional willingness to build  that love is limited. The imagined ideal vs. real love Today, many people enter a relationship carrying unrealistic expectation

Resentment is one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences in relationships. People often think it is "just anger," when in reality it is far more complex - and far more painful. Resentment is what happens when hurt doesn’t find a place to heal. It grows quietly, like emotional sediment, layer upon layer of past moments that were never processed, validated, or repaired. What Is Resentment, Really? Clinically, resentment is a mix of: Anger  toward the person who caused

Dealing with criticism is one of the most universal emotional challenges - regardless of age, personality, or context. For many people, especially those who are very dedicated, perfectionistic, responsible, and used to doing everything “the right way,” receiving criticism can feel like a threat to their personal worth. It's not about the criticism itself, but about what it means internally . Why does criticism hurt so much? In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we understand

Every couple faces challenges - differences in opinions, habits, or expectations. But when the relationship is under stress, partners often fall into a trap: confusing problem solving  with personal attack. When emotions run high, our brain tends to protect us. Instead of staying curious about what’s really happening, we move into defense mode - trying to prove a point, protect our ego, or avoid feeling blamed. This is when conversations shift from “How can we fix this?”  to

Emotional dependence isn’t just about “loving too much.” It’s about needing  someone to feel whole - to the point that our mood, sense of worth, and emotional balance depend on how that person treats us. In the early stages of a relationship, it’s natural to feel connected, excited, and even a bit anxious. But when emotional dependence sets in, the connection turns into dependence : the fear of losing the other person starts to control how we think, feel, and act. From a cogn

Have you ever noticed how two people can go through the same situation and react completely differently? One feels angry, the other...

Every couple has its own story, and each relationship faces unique challenges. Still, many partners share a similar experience: over...

When we talk about self-awareness , it seems like a simple term, almost a cliché. But in practice, seeking self-awareness is much more...

Have you ever wondered why some people feel so secure in relationships, while others struggle with trust, fear of rejection, or the...

When we think about intimacy, many people picture physical closeness or romantic gestures. But intimacy is also about feeling emotionally...

Manuela discovered a hidden conversation on Antônio's cell phone. Deleted messages, suggestive emojis - nothing too explicit, but enough...

She wanted to talk. He wanted silence. After a misunderstanding during dinner with friends, Ana was irritated by the way Daniel responded...

Anyone in a relationship knows that communication isn't always easy. And when the couple comes from different cultures, it can be even...