We believe that every family, especially those faced with extra needs, has hidden potential for growth, joy and satisfaction.

Conflict can either strengthen or destroy a marriage. The way couples handle conflict is the most significant aspect of being successful or unsuccessful in keeping the marriage together.  Those who handle differences appropriately will be able to make it through life with success and an intact marriage. If, however, they cannot deal effectively with the […]

Successful relationships happen when we learn how to resolve Conflicts without chronically moving beyond healthy Complaints. Healthy Complaints actually keep a relationship clean and growing. However, when out of frustration and pain, we start to Criticize or show Contempt, there is danger of a permanent break in the relationship. Healthy Complaints use “I Statements” to […]

Conflict with contemptuous communication (Stage 4) can trigger emotional flooding and reactivity. When one or both of the people become emotionally reactive (emotionally flooded), it is not possible to have a rational discussion. The couple usually drops into the attack fight / flight mode. The pulse races above the norm of 72 and reaches even […]

Being with people who are grieving can be difficult because we really want to say and do the ‘right thing’ but are anxious about making a mistake. There are many ways to add to their pain and not many ways to relieve it. Showing our love and care for those we are close to is […]

We have met the enemy and he is us! Pogo, a cartoon by Walt Kelly Research on bullies’ shows that people with a delay or disability are often picked on. At FamilyEQ we cooperate with schools and organizations to prevent and reduce bullying. While childhood bullies are real, many of us struggle with a form […]

Q: How much time will it take to complete the FamilyEQ Resource Builder reflective-assessment? A: If you stay focused on the reflective assessment task, it should take from 10 – 20 minutes to complete.  If you feel you need to take a break, or just want to consider your answers to any of the areas, […]

Be an Encourager . . . What can each one of us do to help a family with a child who has special needs? During our year-long, ethnographic research process families in the study shared with us those specific things which encourage them – create positive energy and feelings that mean so much. Consider how […]

Learning how to work through disagreements is essential to developing healthy, up-building relationships and working cooperatively to accomplish worthy goals.  For the past 47 years I have been working with individuals and families who are in conflict. Some conflict is good, necessary, and growth producing. Conflict comes from an inability of two or more people […]