Relationships blog
Navigating Difficult Moments Without a Fight
Every couple has certain moments in their life / routine / rituals, that create and cause tension. I call these “Hotspot” moments. Hotspot moments are tricky and uncomfortable times for any couple that are historically likely to combust into relational tension or a fight. Every. Single. Time. But we all have to navigate difficult moments…
My partner has sex tantrums. What do I do?
Understanding sex tantrums in relationships Does your partner have sex tantrums? They might exhibit signs of frustration, anger, or distance when they are not satisfied sexually. If so, you’re not alone. As a couple therapist, I often come across this phenomenon in couples seeking therapy. For men, this issue seems to often be significant enough…
Embracing Self-Compassion and Body Confidence
Embracing self-compassion helps us feel more confident in our bodies Let’s face it, we live in a world that constantly sends us messages about how we’re “supposed” to look. For many women, the weight of these beauty standards can feel like an exhausting load—hence the term “Beauty Load” (which is the title of my book)…
5 fun ways to reconnect with your partner
Here are 5 fun ways to reconnect with your partner. Life can get hectic, and amidst the chaos of work, kids, and daily routines, it’s easy to forget to nurture your relationship. Many of us fall into the trap of assuming that love should be effortless, but the truth is, every relationship needs some TLC…
When to come to couple therapy
When should you come to couple therapy? People seem to have the wrong impression of couple therapy. A lot of people seem to think that couple therapy is a last resort. They come when they are so angry, hurt and disconnected that they are seriously considering separation. They think, “let’s try couple therapy before…
5 big communication mistakes that couples make
In my therapy practice, I’ve observed that many couples unknowingly make the same communication mistakes over and over again. These mistakes create havoc, mistrust, and tension, causing emotional injury that can be difficult to mend. Does this sound familiar? You feel more tension and disconnected from your partner. You push them away rather than drawing…
50 questions to ask your partner to deepen connection
Rekindle Your Connection with 50 Couple Questions to deepen your connection Life as a couple often involves a great deal of logistical planning, housework, childcare, and a multitude of other responsibilities. It’s easy to get so caught up in these everyday tasks that we forget to make time for the more enjoyable aspects of…
It’s time to stop gaslighting ourselves
It’s time to stop gaslighting ourselves about our own beauty Load struggles We need to stop gaslighting ourselves over our body image struggles as it is causing us angst and insecurity. Many of us are now familiar with the concept of ‘gaslighting’ within toxic relationships — a form of emotional abuse in which someone…
Why men don’t feel body image angst in the same way as women
Men have body image angst but it is different to that of women’s and here is why Let’s take the example of the incident with the blue suit In 2015, Karl Stefanovic, a morning TV presenter on the Today Show in Australia, did an interesting experiment to see if there was any bias between the…
The first step to building more trust with your partner
I often get asked by my clients how they can learn to trust their partners more? Trust can be one of the most elusive aspects of intimate relationships. But focussing on your partner’s deeds and thoughts to check how trustworthy they are, can actually do more harm to the trust in your relationship…
Hi, I'm Nicole Mathieson, a relationship and body image coach, couple therapist and author.
This blog is designed to help teach couples practical ways to cultivate a deeper understanding of one another, find safety and connection in relationships, navigate difficult conversations and repair after conflict.
