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By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Dear Terry, I’m definitely a “Fixer” and I married Tim knowing that he was controlling and self-centered. But I just never realized how hard it would be to live with someone who is so arrogant and insensitive to my feelings. I’ve been with...
To many, divorce represents the end of a marriage and the multitude of related experiences that characterized their life together. For some, however, what appears to be the demise of their relationship can mark the start of something new. While the process of divorce...
By Terry Gaspard, LICSW There are many reasons why you or your partner may have difficulty apologizing to one another. For instance, you might equate apologizing with weakness and it’s widely believed that if you apologize to someone, you’re making yourself too...
By Terry Gaspard, LICSW While it’s admirable to be a caring person, learning to accept and respect myself has helped me to set healthy boundaries and to say “no” without feeling guilty. For instance, I used to take on too much responsibility at work because I thought...
By Terry Gaspard Trust and intimacy form the foundation of a lasting marriage. When couples bring baggage such as infidelity or trauma from the past, it can set the stage for mistrust. That’s why it’s crucial that you allow yourself to be vulnerable and discuss...
By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW The most common complaint of couples today is that they have fallen out of love. However, falling out of love usually did not occur overnight. Likewise, relationship repair takes time and effort on the part of both partners and includes...
By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW One of the keys to long-term happiness in any relationship is emotional intimacy. After the “honeymoon phase” for a new couple wears off, the emotional bonds that hold partners together become a sustaining force beyond their physical...
By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW Money is a touchy topic for most couples and the number one thing that couples argue about. In some cases, one person has a better handle on finances and feels their partner chronically makes bad decisions and doesn’t seem motivated to...
By Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW From the time I started dating at age sixteen, I’ve often found myself attracted to my polar opposite – for better and for worse. Likewise, I’ve counseled many couples who are drawn to their opposite because of strong chemistry but find...
By Terry Gaspard, LICSW As technology plays an increasingly integral role in our lives, the paradox at the heart of constantly “being connected” is becoming clearer every day. Indeed, with the rise of smart phones and the proliferation of social media, we’re...
Daughters of Divorce
Chapter Excerpts
