Communication and Conf..., Emotional Wellness, Intimate Relationships, Relational Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion and Se... Communication and Conf..., Emotional Wellness, Intimate Relationships, Relational Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion and Se...

What To Do When Your Partner Is Struggling (Part Two)

In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra will be taking you through how to take care of yourself and your relationship when your partner is struggling. Perhaps your partner is struggling with a job loss, a health diagnosis, a mental health challenge, the loss of a loved one, family drama, co-parenting with an ex, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the theme is that there is some scenario that is taking up more of your partner’s bandwidth than usual, leaving less bandwidth for you and your relationship.

In this second part, Dr. Alexandra is going to take you through five internal strategies to cope with the situation at hand – strategies that are about how you can tend to and take care of yourself. Then she will take you through nine relational strategies – strategies that will help you and your partner maintain or restore your relationship even as your partner struggles. 

You’ll come away with this conversation with:

  • A toolkit of five internal strategies to support your own emotional health while caring for your partner.

  • Nine actionable relational strategies to enhance communication and understanding in your relationship.

  • Insights on the significance of self-care for the non-struggling partner and how it contributes to relationship health.

  • Food-for-thought on resentment, grieving, high-functioning co-dependency, celebrating small victories, and rebuilding after a dark period (and so much more!)

Resources worth mentioning from the episode:

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

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Communication and Conf..., Emotional Wellness, Intimate Relationships, Relational Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion and Se... Communication and Conf..., Emotional Wellness, Intimate Relationships, Relational Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion and Se...

What To Do When Your Partner Is Struggling (Part One)

In this two-part series, Dr. Alexandra will be taking you through how to take care of yourself and your relationship when your partner is struggling. Perhaps your partner is struggling with a job loss, a health diagnosis, a mental health challenge, the loss of a loved one, family drama, co-parenting with an ex, or something else entirely. Whatever it is, the theme is that there is some scenario that is taking up more of your partner’s bandwidth than usual, leaving less bandwidth for you and your relationship.

In this first part, Dr. Alexandra is going to be contextualizing this scenario and providing lots of validation for the struggle that comes with having a struggling partner. She is also going to discuss factors that shape how your partner’s struggle impacts you. Hard things are just hard, but the ways you’re getting activated in the wake of your partner’s struggle also have a lot to do with your specific wounds, as well as the role you played in your family of origin. 

The insights shared in this episode lay the groundwork for a two-part series designed to equip you with effective coping strategies to maintain your well-being while fostering intimacy and connection, even in challenging times.

You’ll come away from this conversation with:

  • A deeper understanding of what Dr. Alexandra calls the Recursive Relational Framework (RRF)

  • Research examples that demonstrate that your partner’s struggles affect you and that how you respond can influence their outcome.

  • Strategies for recognizing and managing your emotional triggers in response to a partner's distress.

  • Practical tips for fostering personal growth while supporting a partner through their challenges. 

Resources worth mentioning from the episode:

Articles mentioned in the episode:

Continue the conversation with Dr. Alexandra Solomon:

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