Bio:

Mike McNulty, PhD is a psychotherapist specializing in couples therapy, and the founder of The Chicago Relationship Center, and practices in Evanston and Highland Park, IL. Dr. McNulty is a senior certified Gottman relationship therapist and master trainer for The Gottman Institute, who leads workshops for couples and professionals in the United States, Ireland, and Sri Lanka. He has traveled to Sri Lanka 22 times since the 2004 tsunami to provide training to paraprofessional counselors.

(Please listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript to hear explanations, stories, and examples.)

In this episode, Dr. Michael McNulty and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss:

• What is ambiguous loss?
• How ambiguous loss affects the grieving process and how to address this type of loss.
• What to do when we have different perspectives and/or a different positions on an issue (i.e. like how to deal with Covid-19).
• How couples with different perspectives can work together and support each other.
• When problems become gridlocked and the stress and disconnect that results.
• What helps us be more flexible and creative, so that we can cope better and be more resilient together.
• How to build rituals for connection, meaning and significance.

"Grief becomes frozen. People do not know what they are grieving, and how to begin to move forward with life."

Mentioned:

• Coping with Uncertainty During COVID-19: An International Gottman Trainer Shares Their Perspective by Dr. Michael McNulty (Article)
• Ambiguous Loss Dr. Pauline Boss' website
• Chicago Relationship Center Website
• The Gottman Institute Website
• Dr. Susan Johnson Website
• The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties by William J. Doherty (book)
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (book)
• Gottman Card Deck

Connect with Dr. Michael McNulty

Email: [email protected]

Website: Chicago Relationship Center

Connect with Dr. Jessica Higgins:

Facebook: facebook.com/EmpoweredRelationship

Instagram: instagram.com/drjessicahiggins

Podcast: drjessicahiggins.com/podcasts

Pinterest: pinterest.com/EmpowerRelation

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjessicahiggins

Twitter: @DrJessHiggins

Website: drjessicahiggins.com

Email: [email protected]

If you have a topic you would like me to discuss, please contact me by clicking on the "Ask Dr. Jessica Higgins" button here.

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If you are interested in developing new skills to overcome relationship challenges, please consider taking the Connected Couple Program or engaging in relationship coaching work with me.