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Searching for couples counseling in Phoenix can feel overwhelming. We get you.

6 Ways to Be a Better Listener

communication 
  1. Paraphrase back what you just heard. Reflecting back in your own words what you hear can feel validating for the speaker. It can also illuminate any discrepancies between what was meant and what was heard to allow for clarification.
  2. Listen to understand not respond. This may feel tough if you don’t agree with the speaker’s message, but you can listen and express validation for the speaker’s perspective even when you do not see eye to eye. This includes not interrupting the speaker and avoiding preparing your reply while they are sharing their heart.
  3. Maintain a posture of curiosity. Be open and neutral when listening. It is normal to jump to judgment, so just mindfully note when that happens, and then bring yourself back to the present moment by asking open-ended questions to better understand the speaker.
  4. If you find yourself getting defensive, take a time-out. Pushing pause on the conversation can allow you to come back at a time when you are feeling more able to listen without getting emotionally charged. Explaining, “I feel myself getting defensive/upset/etc., and this conversation is important to me – can we come back to this in 20 minutes?” will allow you to return to the conversation from a calmer place.
  5. Avoid abruptly ending or changing the conversation. This can convey that you aren’t listening or aren’t comfortable. If uncomfortable, take stock of your feelings. Sometimes it’s okay to feel uncomfortable when presented with new ideas – other times, you may need to state what you need to restore emotional safety.  
  6. Pay attention to your body language. Do you look interested? Are you making eye contact? Rooted in mindfulness, this tip of putting your body in a posture of focus can actually make active listening easier for the listener and affirming for the speaker. 
 
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We are passionate about helping you create a new path forward in your relationship. Couples counseling is our speciality including premarital counseling, mis-matched sex drives, betrayal trauma, infidelity, and broken communication patterns.

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20 Questions to Ask Your Partner

Research shows couples who make an intentional effort to build emotional intimacy create a protective armor for their relationship. These questions are designed to do just that. Bring them on your next date night! Enter your email to have the free download sent to your inbox.

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6868 N 7th Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85013

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(480) 331-7024

hello@centralfamilycounseling.com

@sarahhubbellMFT

Grateful to do therapy in this cozy space🤗 #men Grateful to do therapy in this cozy space🤗 #mentalhealthawarenessmonth
Better married sex is something I LOVE working wit Better married sex is something I LOVE working with couples on. Link in bio for the rest of this @fatherly article I'm so happy I got to contribute to! It's always fun when you get to chat orgasms for work 😉
If your partner's love language is physical touch, If your partner's love language is physical touch, you probably know one way they reeeally like to connect😉...here are 4 more ways to show them some love (outside of the bedroom)!
3 practical ways to love the enneagram 4 in your l 3 practical ways to love the enneagram 4 in your life! Let me know if you have any more for #enneagram4 🥰 

#therapyiscool #enneagram #loveyourspousechallenge
Relationship researcher John Gottman finds high ra Relationship researcher John Gottman finds high rates of criticism - or verbally attacking your partner - to be a predictor of divorce. But unless you're @johnlegend and @chrissyteigen, your partner isn’t perfect🤷🏻‍♀️ Sharing how to turn those criticisms around in my stories today. #divorceproofyourmarriage #fiercemarriage #mindfulmft
A few years ago I took a break from social media. A few years ago I took a break from social media. Here’s why I’m back...

I had just dropped off my preschooler - who was recovering from his 12th ear infection - and kept eyeing my phone in case that kind old nursery care lady called me back to get him. I scanned the @sbcmoms multi-purpose room for table 25, while standing in the buffet line filling a plate with sliced melon, sausage links, and a Krispy Kreme…it was the only breakfast I didn’t have to cook all week - I was making it count! I settled into my chair next to nine other moms - all facing similar challenges: taking on a new role in motherhood, trying not to totally screw up the wife gig, and still finding a sliver of time for ourselves - even if it was just in the form of a glazed donut every other Thursday. Today, the speaker was praised as someone who could take failing marriages and give them hope or take good marriages and make them great. I didn’t want to think about what category my own marriage fell into, but my ears perked up. I wanted a 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 marriage.

At the time, I ran Emma Magazine, a digital lifestyle publication, featuring articles like: How to Tie a Head-Scarf 3 Ways, Host Your Own Crafternoon, or Homemade Dry Shampoo recipes. Mooostly worthwhile endeavors…Except maybe the DIY dry shampoo - isn’t the entire point of dry shampoo that you didn’t have enough time to wash your hair to begin with?! Nevertheless, as the speaker, a licensed counselor, gave real tips on improving our marriages, I listened intently. A tiny seed of a dream begin to sprout. Because while there is nothing wrong with learning to make a lemon verbena foot scrub or boozy popsicle, I knew that if I was going to take time away from my family, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 is the kind of meaningful work I wanted to pursue. Now five years later, with a master’s in marriage and family therapy, I want to share as generously as that counselor did with our mom’s group. Think of this IG as my cliff notes on what makes relationships work. 

It’s good to be back. ☺️
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