Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Dr. Sarah Fajenbaum-Teslja , and relationship counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC, shed light on misunderstood aspects of infidelity. Together, they provide a novel framework for understanding the cause of infidelity and explore the emotional pain and challenges of each person in the triad. An affair triad involves the three people impacted by the affair: One who is in a committed relationship or marriage and engages in secret intimacy outside of the relationship....
May 24, 2024•49 min•Ep. 141
Do you find dating challenging, confusing, or puzzling? As a licensed therapist, dating coach, and matchmaker in New Jersey, Julianne Canterell a provides expert advice to those seeking a fulfilling dating experience! Visit her website at https://juliannecantarella.com/ Facebook Linkedin...
Jul 20, 2023•49 min•Ep. 140
Does your spouse or partner constantly criticize you, sulk, take credit for your ideas, display incongruent words and actions, exhibit silent rage, and withhold praise and recognition? If so, you may be in a relationship with a #covert passive-aggressive #narcissist. In this episode author Debbie Mirza shares her personal story, helps listeners identify #covertnarcissism and ways to heal. To learn more about Debbie, purchase her books and discover helpful, healing resources visit www.debbiemir...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 140
Many misconceptions exist about love, relationships, infidelity, and relationship repair. In this episode, New Jersey couple therapist and affair recovery counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy in Princeton, NJ. This enlightening interview with Sonia Schnee , Founder, and Owner of Jersey Indie , covers the following: Why is 'communication' not the critical ingredient to a romantic relationship? What defines a romantic relationship? What is a bond of intimacy? What is emotional regula...
Jan 07, 2023•57 min•Ep. 138
It’s no secret that the pandemic has had a wide-ranging effect on romantic relationships, including new romantic relationships. The Turbo Relationship is a term used to describe new relationships that formed during the pandemic that moved quickly toward commitment. The rapid commitment speed in a pandemic environment has both short- and long-term effects on the couple, as you’ll learn from our guest on the topic, Dr. Mayi Dixon. Dr. Mayi Dixon of Innovative Counseling Solutions is a Licensed Pro...
Aug 19, 2022•27 min•Ep. 137
Communicating with your most important person can be challenging. Sometimes you need their undivided attention. When you can't get it, panic can set in. To help ensure that you have your spouse or partner’s focused attention, master the higher-level communication skill explained in this crucial episode.
Dec 06, 2020•13 min•Ep. 138
Some people ask, "What's worse? An emotional affair or a sexual affair?". Is one or the other more or less painful? Does one or the other have a more significant impact on the committed relationship or marriage? What happens when the affair is both emotional and sexual? Have a listen as affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC unpacks it all for you.
Sep 28, 2020•14 min•Ep. 136
One barrier to obtaining relationship satisfaction is not knowing what a healthy, satisfying, and loving relationship is. The romantic relationship serves a specific purpose and function that mystifies and confuses many. Marriage and relationship counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy demystifies a healthy relationship so that you can identify it and achieve it for yourself.
Sep 27, 2020•21 min•Ep. 135
Though rare, there are occasions when a committed relationship or marriage develops from an affair. Unions born of an affair face unique challenges - and it's probably not what you think! Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy specializes in helping couples restore in the aftermath of an affair addresses this complex topic.
Sep 25, 2020•15 min•Ep. 133
The family you grew up in has a profound impact on your current love relationship. Your first family teaches you about love and conflict. Examining the ways in which your family has impacted you -- and the effect your partner or spouse's family has had on him or her -- can have a profound effect on helping each of you gain a better understanding of the intricacies of your relationship. Couples Counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy breaks it down for you in an easy to understand manner....
Sep 25, 2020•16 min
Do fights over the dishes, laundry, groceries, or other small matters quickly turn to major blows? What's that all about? Why can't we just put up a to-do list and resolve it all logically? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy helps you understand why this happens so that you can say good-bye to big blowouts over the little things.
Sep 25, 2020•12 min•Ep. 131
Most people think that when it comes to romantic relationships “communication” is key and work hard to communicate more effectively. Unfortunately, that's not what's needed. Emotional smarts are what's needed. Learn ways to 'up your game' when it comes to emotionally tuning into your partner and having them effectively tune into you. Master this and you'll reap the rewards of relationship fulfillment.
Sep 25, 2020•17 min•Ep. 130
Do you find that you and your partner are constantly squabbling over small matters? Underneath it all, there is usually a deeper concern. Most worry that a partner may not really love them, have their back, or really care. It's easy to feel alone in the relationship. Changing just one simple thing can help move your relationship from adversity to connection. Listen now to discover the one simple thing you can do right now that can have a profound effect.
Apr 23, 2020•5 min•Ep. 129
It’s been rough. The pandemic is putting a strain on the best of relationships. Talking about simple matters can quickly become tense and escalate. This episode provides proven techniques to calm tensions so that you and your partner can talk to one another to address the matters at hand.
Apr 23, 2020•7 min•Ep. 128
Research shows that what separates couples that are in long-lasting satisfying relationships from those that are not engage in a particular interaction! Tune in to discover the magic to satisfying long-lasting love and connection.
Apr 21, 2020•12 min•Ep. 127
No matter your situation, your relationship is likely under enormous stress and strain right now and could use a little help! In this episode you’ll learn the one thing you can do right now to see your relationship safely to the other side of this pandemic.
Apr 21, 2020•8 min•Ep. 126
What is couples counseling, and how does it work? How can a couple tell if relationship counseling is effective? This episode identifies the four most common reasons that couples seek professional relationship care, defines the primary aim of couple counseling, and provides ways to assess if the therapy is helping. Listeners can enhance their understanding of this episode by also listening to LoveBonds Episode 118, ‘The Function of the Romantic Relationship’ and Episode 101, ‘How Love Helps Mana...
Feb 16, 2020•22 min•Ep. 125
You and your spouse or partner are in a romantic relationship — so where’s the romance? Whether it comes easily, or needs a bit of effort, this episode is for you! Learn ways to go beyond superficial niceties or simply giving your partner a compliment. In this episode you will discover ways to go deeper— to emotionally move your partner so that they not only feel loved and desired but are more likely to respond to you lovingly and with desire!
Feb 14, 2020•16 min•Ep. 124
Even in the best of circumstances with a lot of agreement between partners, divorce is never easy. It is regarded as one of life’s most stressful and painful experiences. So what can ease the pain and see you through? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo shares a few ideas that can help.
Dec 26, 2019•16 min•Ep. 123
A New Jersey relationship and couple counselor shares relationship insights and observations based on the show ‘Married at First Sight’ — where brides and grooms meet each other for the first time at the altar!
Dec 22, 2019•19 min•Ep. 122
Is the absence of fighting or simply ‘getting along’ indicative of a healed relationship? How about enjoying one another or being polite? How much does mutually expressing fondness and admiration go? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo provides you with clear insights on how to assess relationship restoration.
Dec 18, 2019•13 min•Ep. 121
The future of a relationship is no longer certain upon the discovery of an affair. Four key elements help determine the likelihood that a relationship that has been traumatized by infidelity can endure. Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy in Westfield, NJ, will help in determining the survivability of a relationship impacted by infidelity.
Dec 07, 2019•16 min•Ep. 120
Do you refer to your partner as your 'best friend'? On the surface, this seems fine enough. After all, best friends are generally close confidants that enjoy one another. There's a warmth, familiarity and camaraderie between close friends - so what could possibly be amiss in referencing your partner as your 'bestie'? Listen as relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo unpacks the reasons why the 'best friend' model doesn't work for romantic pairs and suggests another relationship model th...
Dec 05, 2019•12 min•Ep. 119
We've all heard relationship advice, have seen relationship memes on social media and have heard 'tips' and 'dos and don'ts' when it comes to the romantic relationship: but what are these ideas and suggestions based on? Many of these suggestions imply that if just one person in the relationship would make changes, the relationship would improve. Unfortunately, many such notions add to the confusion and misunderstanding already surrounding romantic relationships. Before you can restore or repair ...
Dec 04, 2019•17 min•Ep. 118
Dec 03, 2019•59 sec
We've all heard it. We've heard it among friends. We've heard it at social gatherings. We've heard it on the television and among relationship experts - 'once a cheater, always a cheater'. Is is true? This episode provides an in-depth exploration of the old adage 'once a cheater, always a cheater'.
Feb 17, 2019•13 min•Ep. 117
Online dating is easy, convenient and popular. Many a pair have met, fallen in love and married through online dating apps - so what's wrong with meeting people through dating apps? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy shares ways in which online dating works against building a safe and trusting romantic relationship.
Feb 14, 2019•13 min•Ep. 116
The discovery of an affair immediately catapults a couple into a relationship crisis. The future of the relationship is no longer guaranteed as the couple asks themselves, "Can we survive this?" The task of rebuilding trust and safety is daunting. Listen as affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy unpacks a particularly tricky challenge in affair recovery.
Feb 14, 2019•12 min•Ep. 115
If you're in a shiny new relationship and things are going great, you might be wondering if he or she be 'the one.' Does your new relationship have enough of the right stuff to go the distance? Is it too early to tell? Here's a quick - but effective - way to determine if your new relationship might have genuine, long-lasting potential.
Feb 13, 2019•8 min•Ep. 114
It's no secret that all relationships experience conflict and periods of disconnect. While these experiences are considered typical, how can you tell when enough is enough, and it may be time to call it quits? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy offers a few indications that a relationship may be reaching the breaking point.
Feb 12, 2019•10 min•Ep. 113
