Couples

Unlocking Relationship Potential with Gottman Theory and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) For many of us, intimate relationships can bring both our greatest joy and deepest frustration. Have you ever noticed repeating patterns in your love life? Perhaps you’re always drawn to emotionally distant partners, or you feel overwhelmed when someone gets too close. These patterns often trace back to attachment styles—psychological blueprints shaped in early life that continue to influence how we connect as adults (Bowlby, 1969; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Understanding attachment can shed light on why we love the way we do, and how therapy can help us build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

For many of us, intimate relationships can bring both our greatest joy and deepest frustration. Have you ever noticed repeating patterns in your love life? Perhaps you’re always drawn to emotionally distant partners, or you feel overwhelmed when someone gets too close. These patterns often trace back to attachment styles—psychological blueprints shaped in early life that continue to influence how we connect as adults (Bowlby, 1969; Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Understanding attachment can shed light on why we love the way we do, and how therapy can help us build healthier, more fulfilling relationships.

Have you ever felt like you’re always chasing closeness while your partner keeps pulling away—or the reverse, where you feel overwhelmed and need space just as they need connection most? You’re not alone. Many couples find themselves caught in this painful dance, unsure how to step out of the cycle.

A romantic relationship of any kind can be such an enriching part of our lives. The feeling of joy, intimacy, support, totally uninhibited fun and a deep sense of interpersonal connection would just be scratching the surface of all of the good things a relationship can bring. So with all of the wonderful endorphins rushing around at the start of a new relationship, or when things get more serious, perhaps when we feel a sense of security and intimacy or achieve fulfilling milestones in our relationships, it can be hard to understand where things maybe started to go wrong. How can a relationship that once lit up our world become a source of frustration and resentment, and how can we make this better?