Anger changes the atmosphere in a room. A voice becomes louder, movements become sharper, or someone starts pacing, sighing or speaking with visible irritation. Even when the anger is not directed at us, our own body may tense. We become alert, we may want to calm the person down, defend ourselves or leave the room. This reaction doesn't necessarily mean we are overly sensitive. Our nervous system continuously reads facial expressions, tone of voice, posture and movement for

Many people come to therapy hoping to learn better communication skills: to argue less, express themselves more clearly, and finally feel understood. Yet in years of working with couples, one pattern stands out: communication itself is rarely the biggest obstacle. What gets in the way is less visible than that. In conflict, we stop being curious about our partner’s inner world and start assuming instead. “You don’t care.” “You’re doing this on purpose.” “You always think I’m

As a therapist, I often see how conflicting expectations create tension—whether in romantic relationships or the workplace. We all step into roles with assumptions about what we and others “should” do. But when these expectations aren’t clearly communicated, misunderstandings, frustration, and resentment can build. Last weekend, at a Communication and Conflict management seminar, I reflected on how many of the conflicts I see in my clients stem not from bad intentions, but fr

Coming from a culture where apologies are rare, I’ve had to learn and appreciate just how important apologizing is in maintaining strong, healthy relationships. Understanding this concept has shifted my perspective and helped me offer greater support to people seeking my assistance. Apologizing is essential for repairing a conflict with a partner, family member, close connection, or even with a stranger. It should always be followed by a genuine effort to change the behavior

We all have a deep desire to feel heard and to know that others care enough to listen. Talking to someone who is not listening can leave us with feelings of frustration, disappointment, or not being cared for. This is what I hear often from children, partners, daughters and sons, and employees who are asking for my help. Couples that have been together over a longer period, recognize that after some time in the relationship, they reach a point where they fail to listen consci

The quality of our communication and the quality of our lives are directly related. The more skilled we are in communicating with others, the more successful we are likely to be, both personally and professionally. People who communicate well will be able to cope better with stress, adapt better to major changes in life, have more friends, and are less likely to suffer from depression, loneliness, or anxiety. In romantic relationships, effective communication skills are one o

Knowing what your natural style of communication is can be a valuable step in improving your interaction in all contexts and relieving social stress. One of the most common communication models describes 4 types: The assertive type The passive type The aggressive type The passive-aggressive type. The awareness of this model helped me better understand my clients who very often describe their problems as: • "I am the one who keeps silent during a meeting unless really neces

Recently I’ve got my hands on one of the best books about giving and receiving feedback. The moment I understood how helpful the subject is