In this episode, Mike and Liz discuss ways to strengthen family relationships. They provide four tangible ideas that will help to foster a healthy family culture and enhance the bond of family members. They provide insights on the importance of these types of activities, and how to include them into a busy lifestyle.

Resources:

Family Questions Activity (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid

Relationship Gratitude Tips (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid

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Mike and Liz discuss the basics of the communication skill, validation, and provide an understanding of why it is crucial for healthy relationships. Mike and Liz talk about what is validation, why it matters, and how to best provide validation in communication. They also discuss what validation is not and provide helpful tips on how to apply this communication skill right away.

Resources:

Reflective statements: Reflections: Communication Skill (Worksheet) | Therapist Aid

Book: THE ART OF EMOTIONAL VALIDATION: Improve Your Communication Skills and Transform Your Relationships by Validating Emotions and Feelings. By Emily Wright

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Being willing to take ownership and responsibility is part of any healthy relationship. And being accountable for your actions is an empowering reminder that you have lots of control in your relationship. In this episode, Liz and Mike talk about what taking responsibility in your relationships truly looks like. They give tips on how to take ownership of your actions as well as how to avoid misplacing blame. Check out the episode and take your relationships to the next level.

Resources:

Book: Is It You or Is It Me?

Worksheet: Couples Negative Cycle – EFT Worksheet (mindfullyhealing.com)

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Relationships can be very tricky when attempting to decipher the fine line between appropriate compromise versus betraying our own wants, needs, and boundaries. Mike and Liz explore six primary components to consider when contemplating what a healthy relationship looks like. Whether you are currently in a relationship, or single and looking to start a new relationship, it is crucial it includes safety, respect, trust... and certainly fun!

Resources:

Book: Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help YouFind - and Keep - Love / Authors: Levine & Heller

Boundaries Worksheet: Boundaries Discussion Questions (therapistaid.com)

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Valentine’s Day can be hard whether you are single or in a relationship. In this podcast Liz and Mike give some tips on how to make the day a great one. They discuss the importance of being intentional about the day and not just expecting it to go well. Liz and Mike talk through some suggestions on how to spend the day, including getting some time outside, indulging in your favorite foods and doing some gratitude journaling. Listen to this episode to ensure that you have a great Valentine’s Day.

Resources:

How to Survive Valentine’s Day:

Gratitude Journal:

Recipes:

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Effective communication can be really hard! It can be difficult to express ourselves openly and honestly out of fear of being dismissed or misunderstood. In this episode, Mike and Liz discuss five ways to improve your communication skills in order to be more clear with the messages that you are sending, as well as to be more attentive and understanding with the messages that you are receiving.

Resources:

Book: Couple Skills: Making your Relationship Work / Author: McKay, Fanning, & Paleg

"I" Statements: https://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/i-statements.pdf

Active Listening Worksheet: Active Listening: Communication Skill (therapistaid.com)

Disclaimer

Http://www.evolvecounselingaz.com/disclaimer

Elizabeth and Michael review 5 basic things that every kid or teen needs to hear from their parents. They talk through the importance of parents being openly complementary of each other in front of others. They also detail how critical it is for parents to be open about what is difficult for them as well as asking for help when it’s needed. Lastly, Elizabeth and Michael review the ways to explain emotions to kids and teens.

Resources:

Book: 50 Things You Needed To Hear As a Child

Article: 44 Things Every Child Needs to Hear

Article: 10 Things Your Child Needs to Hear From You Every Day

Disclaimer

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The holidays can be a wonderful experience for kids. However, with lots of new toys and games, sharing those new things can often be difficult. Michael and Elizabeth discuss the best ways to get siblings to be able to share with one another. They talk through the ways to prepare your children for difficult situations that tend to come up in the home. Michael and Elizabeth also give tips on using praise when sharing goes well. Lastly, the go through how to avoid accusations and assumptions when things don’t go well.

Resources:

Book: Share and Take Turns

Article: Why You Shouldn’t Force Your Kids to Share

Podcast: Always Evolving: Validate, Investigate, Regulate

Disclaimer

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Michael and Elizabeth explore barriers to busy parents setting and maintaining personal goals. They discuss the importance of parents making themselves a priority and how this sets a great example for your children. Michael and Elizabeth provide ideas on how to set goals and ways to follow through on the necessary habits to reach these goals.

Resources:

Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear

Disclaimer

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Michael and Elizabeth discuss the difficulties of peer conflict and natural tendencies as parents to be either under or overly involved in this conflict. They discuss ways to ensure your child is being supported, as well as suggestions for your role in this process. They provide tangible take-aways on meeting your child’s emotional needs, as well as assisting your child in learning necessary lessons to carry throughout life.

Resources:

Book: Boundaries with Kids by Cloud and Townsend

Book: The Teen's Guide to Social Skills: Practical Advice for Building Empathy, Self-Esteem, and Confidence by Kate Fitzsimons

Title: Parenting Self-Care: Preparing for the New Year

Description: Michael and Elizabeth explore barriers to busy parents setting and maintaining personal goals. They discuss the importance of parents making themselves a priority and how this sets a great example for your children. Michael and Elizabeth provide ideas on how to set goals and ways to follow through on the necessary habits to reach these goals.

Resources:

Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear

Disclaimer

Http://www.evolvecounselingaz.com/disclaimer