Blog · Jackie Schwartz, The Love Expert

Sep

2023

How to Navigate Different Religions in Relationships

*This blog post on how to navigate different religions in relationships was originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

The Beauty of Diversity in Relationships

One of the most beautiful aspects of any relationship is the diversity that each person brings. If you and your partner belong to different religions, it can be challenging, but can also foster love, growth, and unity.

Navigating Different Religions

It’s important to embrace the beauty of diversity, approach each other’s beliefs with openness, curiosity, understanding, and respect. Invest time in building a solid foundation by working together to find common ground and shared values. By navigating the complexities of your different religions together, you can create a healthy, positive, and long-lasting relationship.

Click here to read more about how to improve your communication and incorporate various aspects of both religions into your everyday lives and special occasions.

If you are looking to strengthen and deepen your relationship, contact me for your free consultation. I offer couples counseling online across the state of Florida via secure telehealth and in person in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale.

Apr

2023

How to Love Mondays: Tips and Tricks to Start Your Week Off Right

Do you dread Monday mornings? Do you find yourself hitting the snooze button more than usual and dragging yourself out of bed? If so, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the start of the workweek, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you love Mondays and start your week off right:

1. Get organized on Sunday night

One of the best ways to prepare for the week ahead is to get organized on Sunday night. Take a few minutes to review your schedule and prioritize your tasks for the week. Make a to-do list and set realistic goals for each day. This will help you feel more focused and in control on Monday morning.

2. Plan something to look forward to

Another way to make Mondays more enjoyable is to plan something to look forward to. This could be something as simple as a favorite lunch spot or a fun activity after work. Having something positive to focus on can help you get through the day with a more positive attitude.

3. Start your day with something you love

If you start your Mondays with something you love, it can help set a positive tone for the rest of the day. This could be something as simple as enjoying your favorite cup of coffee or taking a few minutes to read a book before starting work.

4. Practice gratitude

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to shift your mindset and focus on the positive. Take a few minutes each morning to reflect on what you are grateful for. This could be anything from your health to your job to the people in your life.

5. Take breaks throughout the day

Taking breaks throughout the day can help you stay energized and focused. Try to take a few minutes every hour to stretch or take a walk outside. This can help you feel more refreshed and ready to tackle your tasks.

6. Focus on the big picture

Finally, it’s important to remember the big picture. Why are you doing what you’re doing? What are your long-term goals? Keeping these in mind can help you stay motivated and focused on the bigger picture, even on days when you’re feeling less than enthusiastic.

If you are struggling to get up in the morning or are in need of support, I’m here for you. I offer individual therapy online and in-person in Florida. Contact me today for your free 15-minute consultation to get started.

Jan

2023

How to Communicate Proactively in Your Relationship

*This blog post on how to communicate proactively with your partner was originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

What does proactive communication mean?

Communication is key in any healthy relationship. Instead of waiting for a problem to arise in your relationship or for something to go wrong to start a conversation, establish an open channel of communication. This includes active listening, expressing yourself and your needs, and encouraging your partner to express themselves. This fosters an environment where both of you feel heard and respected, leading to less drama!

There are three ways to communicate proactively in your relationship:

1. Establish Clear Boundaries

2. Listen Actively

3. Ask Questions & Encourage Open Dialogue

Click here to learn more about how to establish proactive communication. This will help you have more meaningful conversations and lead to a more positive, loving relationship where you can overcome future disagreements in a healthy way.

Sep

2022

How to Maintain a Positive Perspective of Your Partner

*This blog post on maintaining a positive perspective of your partner was originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

What is a positive perspective?

Having a positive perspective is when our feelings and sentiments towards our relationship are mostly positive, overshadowing the negative feelings (like wearing rose-colored glasses). Couples who have an overall positive perspective of each other are more likely to give their partner the benefit of the doubt when challenges arise or issues come up. They are much more likely to experience neutral or even negative interactions as positive ones. This leads to an overall healthier, deeper, and stronger relationship.

Click here to learn 3 evidence-based (proven by research) ways to develop and maintain a positive perspective of your partner.

If you are looking to deepen and strengthen your relationship, contact me for your free consultation. I offer couples counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale.

Jun

2022

How Discernment Counseling Can Help Couples

*This blog post on discernment counseling was originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

What is discernment counseling?

Discernment counseling takes place over 1-5 sessions for helping couples who have mixed agendas. Typically one partner is leaning out of the relationship and is hesitant to work on it in therapy, while the other partner wants to stay in and repair the relationship. Studies suggest that as many as 30% of couples who go to couples counseling fall into the mixed agenda category. These couples present a significant challenge for therapists because most models of couples therapy assume both parties have a baseline willingness to save the relationship. The goal of discernment counseling is to achieve greater clarity and confidence in the couple’s decision-making about the future of their relationship. Discernment counseling is like going to the emergency room versus traditional couples counseling is like preventative care from a primary physician.

Click here to read more on what discernment counseling is and if it’s right for you.

If you are looking to strengthen and gain better insight into your relationship, contact me for your free consultation. I offer both discernment counseling and couples counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale.

May

2022

Repairing Your Relationship After Infidelity

*This blog post on infidelity was originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

Repairing your relationship after an affair can be complicated and difficult, but it can be done and has been done by many couples!

Recovery after cheating involves navigating and expressing hurt feelings, discovering new methods of communicating and managing conflict, establishing new ways of connecting with each other, and taking a very different approach to the relationship from before. If both partners are willing to invest in developing new relationship dynamics and commit to staying together, healing, recovery, and a healthy relationship are attainable.

Click here to read how to get your relationship to a new place of commitment, connection, intimacy, and trust.

If you need help repairing your relationship after infidelity, contact me for your free consultation. I offer couples counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person in Coral Springs and Fort Lauderdale.

Feb

2022

What to Expect In Couples Therapy

*Originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

Starting couples counseling can feel scary and daunting. Not only are you concerned and scared for your relationship, but now you have to open up and confide in a complete stranger about some of the most intimate areas of their lives. If you and/or your partner are considering couples therapy or marriage counseling, it’s important to know what to expect, find a therapist who will help each person feel safe and comfortable so they can be open and honest. The key ingredient in successful couples counseling is love. With love, accountability, motivation, and a willingness to make positive change, couples therapy can be the most rewarding experience.

Click here to continue reading.

If you are considering couples therapy, contact me for your free consultation. I offer couples counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person.

Feb

2022

Why It’s Important to Know Your Partner’s Love Language

*Originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

One of the most important ways a couple interacts is how they vie for one another’s attention… and how each person goes about meeting their partner’s needs. Understanding our partner’s love language(s) can help with increasing intimacy and connection, improving communication, and enhancing appreciation for them. It can also help with preventing problems in the relationship by managing expectations on what it means to love and be loved.

Click here to continue reading.

If you need guidance on connecting with your partner, reigniting intimacy, or understanding your partner’s love language, contact me for your free consultation. I offer couples counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person.

Feb

2022

How Couples Can Turn Conflict into Connection

*Originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

In almost every therapy session I have with couples, conflict is bound to happen. Couples are usually terrified of conflict, and try to avoid it and prevent it at all costs. Unproductive methods of conflict management can lead to terrible outcomes. However, conflict can be viewed as a means of connecting instead of a means of fighting and suffering. Conflict is a natural and potentially healthy part of any relationship, and can actually help you connect with your partner leading to a happier and healthier relationship.

Click here to continue reading.

Want to feel more connected to your partner? Contact me for your free consultation. I would be happy to speak with you about how I can help you manage conflict and connect with your partner. I provide counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person.

Jan

2022

Signs of a Toxic Relationship

*Originally written and posted for Bayview Therapy. Read the full article here.

All relationships have good days and bad days, ups and downs, and we need to accept our partners for who they are, right? But what if it comes at the cost of your own well-being? A toxic relationship can have signs that are obvious red flags, but some toxic relationships have signs that are more subtle. Click here to continue reading about toxic relationships and how to tell if you’re in one.

If you’re ready to work on improving your relationship with yourself, learning how to have a healthy relationship, or how to get out of an unhealthy relationship, contact me for your free consultation. I would be happy to speak with you about how I can help you move forward in a positive direction. I provide counseling online across the state of Florida via telehealth and in person.

The Beauty of Diversity in Relationships

Navigating Different Religions

What does proactive communication mean?

There are three ways to communicate proactively in your relationship:

What is a positive perspective?

What is discernment counseling?

Jackie Schwartz, LMFT