Psychologists Off the Clock

254. Cultivating Compassion for a Lasting Connection with Michaela Thomas


Listen Later

It’s incredibly easy (and completely normal) to become caught in the heat of the moment and lash out when arguing with our partners. However, it’s not always the most functional behavior, and it almost never aligns with our values. Michaela Thomas, author of The Lasting Connection, is a clinical psychologist who has centered her career around helping women develop love and compassion for themselves and their partners. On this episode of POTC, Jill and Michaela discuss the key elements to building lasting connections and provide evidence-based strategies for incorporating them into your relationships. Listen in to this episode to discover the top reasons modern couples disconnect, engage in a real-time compassion-flow practice, learn strategies for identifying your relationship values, and much more today!


Listen and Learn:

  • Jill and Yael’s thoughts on incorporating ACT, CFT, Behavioral Therapy for couples
  • The three elements that help build lasting connections
  • Expert-approved strategies for identifying when you’re too “hot” or “cold” in your relationship (and practical advice for turning that flame up or down!)
  • Three critical directions your compassion should be flowing in order to build a lasting, loving connection
  • Jill and Michaela engage in a real-time exercise for allowing compassion to flow in from others
  • Evidence-based strategies for moving from high conflict into compassion
  • Dr. Thomas provides the top reasons modern couples disconnect 
  • Tips and tricks for identifying your relationship values as a couple

  • Resources:

    • Grab your copy of Michaela’s book, The Lasting Connection!
    • Listen to Michaela’s podcast, Pause Purpose Play.
    • Take Michaela’s online course, The Compassionate Couple
    • Check out Debbie, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  

    • About Michaela Thomas:

      Michaela Thomas is a Clinical Psychologist, couples therapist and founder of the private practice The Thomas Connection. Michaela specialises in perfectionism, helping high-striving women let go of the pressure of perfection, to find the balance to burn bright, not burn out. She has authored the book The Lasting Connection - develop love and compassion for yourself and your partner. Michaela can be found on her Pause Purpose Play podcast and on Instagram under @the_thomas_connection. Her online course The Compassionate Couple has been described as 'life changing'.


      Related episodes:

      • Episode 245. Family Firm with Emily Oster
      • Episode 206. Fair Play Part 2 with Eve Rodsky
      • Episode 168. Everyday Conversations: How Conversational Style Impacts Relationships with Deborah Tannen
      • Episode 247. Find Your Unicorn Space with Eve Rodsky
      • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn

        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6

        4.6

        306 ratings


        More shows like Psychologists Off the Clock

        View all
        Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

        Good Life Project

        3,272 Listeners

        The Trauma Therapist by Guy Crawford Macpherson

        The Trauma Therapist

        527 Listeners

        Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

        Therapy Chat

        678 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,535 Listeners

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

        2,428 Listeners

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

        615 Listeners

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast

        1,389 Listeners

        The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

        The Couples Therapist Couch

        267 Listeners

        Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

        Attachment Theory in Action

        149 Listeners

        Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

        Light Up The Couch

        313 Listeners

        The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast by Tammy Sollenberger

        The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast

        270 Listeners

        Adult Child by Andrea

        Adult Child

        1,782 Listeners

        We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

        We Can Do Hard Things

        41,314 Listeners

        Evidence-Based: A New Harbinger Psychology Podcast by New Harbinger Publications

        Evidence-Based: A New Harbinger Psychology Podcast

        51 Listeners

        Mother Mayhem: For Daughters of Narcissistic or Emotionally Limited Mothers by Heather Gray, LICSW

        Mother Mayhem: For Daughters of Narcissistic or Emotionally Limited Mothers

        191 Listeners