Tim and Kirsten eagerly engaged in our premarital counseling sessions. As we waded through the battery of premarital inventories and family background, sex was next on our list. This couple, like many I have counseled, was sexually active prior to meeting each other. Although committed to abstinence this time around, past sexual activity has taken…

Mary and Bill are arguing again. Mary hates how she feels when conflict happens. She wants to retreat, run or hide, or simply  avoid. Too often, she chooses to avoid, but is this a good idea? For the most part, NO, at least when we are talking interpersonal relationships that are trying to grow in…

Rich and Sharon have constant fights, and the fights take on a common pattern. Sharon is dating a narcissist. The key traits of a narcissist are to be self-centered, need to be admired, be right, not admit fault and feel superior. All of those traits describe Rich, who is becoming more difficult whenever there is a disagreement. Sharon isn’t sure…

Kylie started dating Tyler a few months ago. At first, Tyler seemed to be an upright guy. A little intense at times, with short anger bursts, but he was a guy, right? Wrong. That intensity was a red flag Kylie ignored. However, the more they were together, the more she noticed Tyler trying to control…

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More from Beliefnet and our partners