Tag: love

  • A Case for Monogamy

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , , ,

    Odd Reactions to Sexual Betrayal The month of July 2025 was consumed with two news stories of sexual betrayal. The first involved the embarrassing exposure of an affair between two executives (the CEO and the human resources executive) with a technology company. They were caught on the “kiss cam” at a Coldplay concert. The second…

  • Coping with Uncertainty

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , , , , , ,

    Attachment as an Antidote to Uncertainty John Bowlby, the father of attachment theory, wrote a seminal paper early in his career titled “Forty-four Juvenile Thieves: Their Characters and Their Home-Life.” It is a remarkable initial work that explains the roots of attachment loss. Bowlby does not suggest that it is only the loss of a…

  • Admire Your Partner’s Goodness

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , , , ,

    Validating the image-bearing qualities of your life partner with your words fills them with life. Dr. Mark DeYoung The Challenge A significant concept in the Gottman Sound Relationship model for marriage includes sharing fondness and admiration with your spouse. A flame of appreciation needs to burn within the marriage. A marriage faces trouble when the…

  • 30 Day Gratitude Journal

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , , , ,

    Gratitude is an essential ingredient for personal mental health and relational stability. This month, Dr. DeYoung wants to offer you a 30-day prompt for gratitude in your marriage. Each prompt is meant to generate a thought or feeling of gratitude. Don’t be too alarmed by the word “Journal” because the writing expectations are minimal. Each…

  • Breath – The Pause for Connection

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , , ,

    In marriage therapy work, one of the listening and connection skills we practice is sharing our feelings/experiences and validating our partner’s experiences. This is a fundamental building block of relationships, and it can lead to significant communication complications when it breaks down. Let me give you some examples of how it can break down.  Husband…

  • Being a Gift for Your Spouse

    —

    by

    Mark DeYoung
    in , ,

    Gifts are the language of the holiday season. Meaningful gifts are often unexpected, meet a particular need, and communicate a message of value or importance. We love giving and receiving gifts because they are founded on love and sacrifice. The Christmas season celebrates God, offering himself as a gift in the incarnated Christ. In this…