Category Archives: Communication

How to Deal with Controlling People

Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by Alison

Does it help to argue or complain when dealing with a controlling person? How do you respond to someone who is controlling, demanding and wants you to do things you don’t want to do? Video by Alison Poulsen, PhD Read … Continue reading →

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Equality in a relationship: “Why don’t you do what I tell you to do? I’m the man in this relationship.”

Posted on Saturday, May 11, 2013 by Alison

Before you wish your partner would simply obey your wishes, think about how a domineering/submissive dynamic would impact the long-term health of your relationship. A relationship based on unequal power and obedience will not grow and cannot sustain passion. Domination … Continue reading →

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Gossip vs. Honesty:
“It is better to be honest and realistic than to pretend everyone is such an angel when they are not.”

Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by Alison

I don’t advocate pretending that everyone is wonderful. It is worthwhile, however, to consider whether discussing how inane, incapable, or insufferable other people are contributes to your own life or to those around you. Sometimes it is interesting to attempt … Continue reading →

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Dealing with Brashness:
“I feel miserable because she has been so short with me.”

Posted on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 by Alison

Don’t take it personally and do not allow yourself to become miserable! Speak up right away when someone is short with you. Don’t assume others can read your mind, and don’t assume that they are even aware of their own … Continue reading →

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Good Conversation:
“We don’t talk much anymore.”

Posted on Friday, November 2, 2012 by Alison

Good conversation has an edge. It opens your eyes to something, stirs your imagination, reverberates in your mind later in the day. Your mind has been sparked. What if you start worrying that the other person will get angry or … Continue reading →

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“Does she like me? She doesn’t text me like she did at the beginning.”

Posted on Thursday, October 18, 2012 by Alison

It would be a miracle to find another person whom you’re attracted to and who shares the same expectations and attitude toward relationships that you do. One person may feel hurt when his texts aren’t responded to often enough. The … Continue reading →

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Mind reading:
“You just don’t like spending time with me!”

Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by Alison

People often assume that they know what another person is thinking—and most often these assumptions are negative. Not only are the assumptions usually wrong, mind-reading doesn’t make people want to openly share their deepest thoughts. It often doesn’t make them … Continue reading →

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“I hate small talk. It’s such a waste of time.”

Posted on Monday, June 25, 2012 by Alison

  Endless chitchat about mindless subjects can drive anybody crazy. When people carry on without allowing others to engage in the conversation, they are missing the point of small talk. Appropriate small talk should feel like a dance not like … Continue reading →

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