Why Trying to Fix Your Marriage Might Be Making Things Worse

Welcome to Reconciling Marriages with Coach Jack, the podcast where Christian psychologist and relationship coach Dr. Jack Ito shares powerful, skill-based strategies to rebuild connection and emotional closeness in your marriage. In this episode, Coach Jack reveals why trying to fix your marriage often leads to more emotional distance—and what to do instead if you want your spouse to enjoy being with you again.

What You’ll Learn

• Why fixing emotional problems with practical solutions pushes your spouse away
• The difference between understanding and validation—and why it matters
• Five specific validation behaviors that rebuild emotional connection
• What not to say when your spouse wants space, distance, or separation
• A real-life client example of transformation through non-fixing behaviors

Want to Work With Coach Jack?
If you're tired of being pushed away despite your efforts to repair your relationship, it’s time for a better strategy. My Re-Connections Coaching Package is designed to help you reconnect with your spouse through validation, empathy, and skillful communication—even if your spouse is distancing or asking for separation.

Key Takeaways

• Fixing emotional distance with practical solutions creates more disconnection
• Validation requires agreement, empathy, compliments, appreciation, or admiration
• Avoid apologies, explanations, or promises when trying to rebuild closeness
• Emotional connection grows through similarity—not fixing, reasoning, or negotiating
• Small steps done consistently have more power than big emotional appeals

Additional Resources

• Does Giving Space or Going No-Contact Help to Reconcile?
• Is There Hope for Your Marriage? Yes, Here's Why.
• Q&A About How to Reconcile after a Marital Separation.

Work one-on-one with Coach Jack to repair your relationship using small, easy steps that rebuild connection quickly. Visit CoachJackIto.com to learn more about relationship coaching.