Many people spend time reading and asking about the best advice for a successful, happy marriage. There are lots of answers to this question. Perhaps you have heard to never go to bed angry. Or maybe to always check with your spouse before committing to plans. Or don’t discuss your marriage business with your parents. These are in and of themselves great ideas, however, they are simply that- ideas. 

What people often do not ask is this- what is one skill I need to have a successful marriage? Well often don’t think of marriage as requiring skills. We think of it in ideas. But I would rather give you direction on a skill than advice on an idea. 

When two people say “I do,” they are not just committing to love, they are committing to navigating a variety of differences. Understanding these differences can deepen your connection and help you navigate life’s ups and downs with greater compassion. Let’s explore some common personality contrasts that often show up in marriage, and how they can both enrich and test your partnership.

Have you ever found yourself talking about the same struggles in therapy over and over, but nothing seems to change? You’re not alone—and there’s a good reason for that. Healing from trauma often requires more than just talking. Real transformation involves the whole body and a deeper connection to your inner world.

That’s why I use an approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS). It offers a fresh, powerful way to work with trauma that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Instead of focusing only on what happened, IFS helps you build a relationship with the parts of yourself that are still carrying the pain.

Marriage is an exciting new chapter filled with love, dreams, and the promise of a shared future. Along with choosing a venue and planning your honeymoon, one of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of preparing for marriage is understanding sex and intimacy. Whether you are waiting until the wedding night or you have already been physically intimate, the way you approach this part of your relationship can set the tone for years to come.

When we think of emotional safety, most of us imagine being truly seen, heard, and understood. And while those things absolutely matter, there’s a deeper layer we often overlook. Real emotional safety doesn’t come from how others respond to us—it comes from knowing we won’t abandon ourselves, even when we feel misunderstood.