Marriage and Family Counseling New York Long Island Manhattan

Hello and welcome to the fall edition of Relationship Solutions! It has been some time since our last edition due to some unexpected technical issues that kept this on hold. Well, I finally was able to square some things away and not let the holidays pass us by without having a chance to connect with our readers.

This past Friday I was in Manhattan all day at Mercy College attending a workshop on working with families in the military. It was very informative, and I left feeling more gratitude and compassion than ever for these families. With Veterans’ Day having just past and Thanksgiving upon us, I felt it appropriate to share this experience and my appreciation for our veterans, their families and those that provide support.

I am very excited about the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday for the food, of course, that I am not cooking, but also for the time to reflect on all the things I am grateful for in my life. This month’s edition will provide you with some thoughts to reflect on in your own life and relationships. We hope that you take the time to share openly with family, friends, co-workers, etc.

Last, we want to thank all of our readers, clients, staff, friends and family for all your support and making Counseling Corner for Marriage and Family Therapy, P.C., part of your every day experience.

You know it’s Autumn in New York when the leaves crunch beneath your feet with every step and the crisp air calls for a heavier overcoat. This time of year will no doubt have you inside on most days as the air turns colder and that dreaded “s” word (snow) threatens with every chilly night.

Of course, this is also the time of year when we all begin to prepare for the holiday season. With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, it seems fitting to touch on the concept of giving thanks in this month’s newsletter.

Thanksgiving can come in a myriad of forms. When it comes to relationships, giving thanks comes in the form of showing appreciations or gratitude to one another. You might be saying to yourself, “But, Andrea, how do I go about this task? And how does it benefit the relationship?”

I am happy to wax romantically on the subject.

A relatively simple and often overlooked essential of a healthy, successful relationship is very simply giving thanks. It is a way to count your blessings and look inward to express gratitude for all you have. It is also a way to connect to your partner or loved one and invest further in your relationship. It demonstrates respect and can also serve as a cushion in your “Love Bank” when times aren’t so content in your household.

Recall your younger days when perhaps your caregiver taught you to say “thank you” when you were on the receiving end of the bread basket at the dinner table. Or perhaps you instill this manner in your own children. This very basic concept illustrates perfectly how we can go about showing gratitude.

Now, of course you know to say “thank you” when your loved one passes the bread. However, I encourage you to take it to the next level by showing appreciations for the thought process that goes into these actions.

For example, let’s say that you are an avid morning coffee fan. Should your partner fix the coffee machine for you in the morning so that it is all set to brew, show him or her your appreciation. You could try something like, “Honey, I really appreciate that you programmed the coffee pot for me. It means so much to me that you considered the fact that I have a tremendously busy schedule tomorrow and that you wanted to help make my day go smoother.” Or perhaps you can be the one to initiate the coffee making for your partner.

The same idea can be applied to more intense subjects. Perhaps you are having difficulty with a colleague at work. You might utilize your communications skills by opening a dialogue about it with your partner and inviting him or her into your world. When you are finished reporting the issue, be sure to thank your partner for listening to your woes. At this point, I could go into key communications concepts, but we’ll delve into that vast subject at another time.

In sum, I encourage you to invest in all of your relationships, whether with your partner, other family members or colleagues. Saying thank you is a simple response that goes a long way. Happy showing thanks and giving!

Comments or questions? Email andrea@couplesandfamilies.com.

Tips for showing appreciation:

1. Think of three things that you really appreciate about your partner or loved one. These could be as simple as, “I love the way you laugh at my jokes,” or “I appreciate how you support my moods.”

2. Take note of the positive everyday “little things” that your partner says or does.

3. Initiate a dialogue that highlights these appreciations with your partner. Begin by saying, “I appreciate…”

4. Respond to your partner’s appreciations, too. Remember—reciprocity is the key!

5. Call us! We would be happy to help you and your family!

*New Long Island Office

We recently have brought on board another NYS Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Welcome aboard Shari Siegel!! Shari will be available to meet with clients Tuesday-Friday in Merrick (Nassau County). For more information or to schedule an appointment contact us today.

Couples and Families Saturdays

Recently, we launched our "Couples and Families Saturdays" program featuring a reduced fee for new clients who are couples or families. Our program offers new customers the opportunity to receive quality counseling services at a reduced cost on Saturdays (Rockville Centre office only), which are led by Ami, a third-year marriage and family therapy graduate student intern. We are excited to have Ami on our team and have the opportunity to provide services at a low cost. We have limited appointments open so call us today!!

We are now accepting Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express as a form of payment for all sessions. Getting therapy has never been easier with the ease of not having to write a check or get to the cash machine.