LOVEBONDS

If you're in a shiny new relationship and things are going great, you might be wondering if he or she be 'the one.' Does your new relationship have enough of the right stuff to go the distance? Is it too early to tell? Here's a quick - but effective - way to determine if your new relationship might have genuine, long-lasting potential. 

It's no secret that all relationships experience conflict and periods of disconnect. While these experiences are considered typical, how can you tell when enough is enough, and it may be time to call it quits? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy offers a few indications that a relationship may be reaching the breaking point.

On Valentine's Day we partake in and witness grand gestures of romantic love that include chocolates, flowers, lingerie, love notes and candlelit dinners. All of that is quite nice, of course, but an annual romantic splash is not enough to sustain a romantic connection. 

Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo argues that romance is not an essential 'part of' a committed relationship or marriage - but, in fact, a committed relationship or marriage, by definition, is a romantic union! 

Real-life demands, stresses and strains are certainly forces that work against the softer, tender and desirous feelings essential to romantic feelings. 

So how does a couple sustain romance over time? Is romance really that  important? What happens when romance diminishes and is replaced by functionality, practicality and efficiency?  

What is a couple to do when infidelity occurs before getting married? Mayi Dixon, LPC host of Anchor's "The PreMarital Bliss Podcast," interviews relationship and couples counselor Terri DiMatteo. The two discuss the unique concerns that occur when infidelity happens before getting married. What is the best response, and what is the best way forward? You can learn more about Mayi by visiting her website www.innovcounseling.com and by listening to her at "The PreMarital Bliss Podcast" on Apple Podcasts here. 

Do you still occasionally think about a romantic partner from your past? Do you sometimes wonder 'what if?' even though many years have passed and each of you has moved on? Does a particular past person still hold a tender place in your heart? If so, perhaps you have experienced a love that was interrupted rather than an actual break-up. This episode is based on the fascinating research on lost love by Dr. Nancy Kalish.

Infidelity is a relationship trauma that hurts. Affairs require lies and deception to occur. The paid and suffering in the aftermath lingers a lifetime. With all of that, is there anything about infidelity that makes sense? Is there any logic to it? Relationship and couples counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC discusses how infidelity 'makes sense' with Dini of Vigilantes Radio on the "Inside The Biz" Series.

Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by infidelity. It is such a prevalent reality in our society, yet there is still so much taboo and limited understanding in the way that we talk about it. There tends to be a lot of shame and judgement involved which can make it even more difficult for couples to work through it.

In this interview with Terri DiMatteo we talk about how to help couples affected by infidelity and betrayal. We go into detail about how to guide couples to have a different perspective and learn to trust and depend on each other again.

Terri DiMatteo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey and the founder of Open Door Therapy. She spent many years as an Early Childhood Specialist where she learned about the work of John Bowlby and Attachment Theory. She brings that understanding into her work with couples. She specializes in helping couples cope with infidelity.

The Couples Therapist Couch is the podcast for Couples Therapists about the practice of couples therapy. The host, Shane Birkel, interviews an expert in the field of couples therapy each week. There is an episode released every Tuesday about the practice of couples therapy.