CCS Staff Writer 6/13/26 CCS Staff Writer 6/13/26

The Silence After the Storm: A Pattern of Miscommunication

Every couple argues, but the silence afterward can create distance, loneliness, and resentment. Learn why couples get stuck after conflict and how therapy can help.

CCS Staff Writer 6/6/26 CCS Staff Writer 6/6/26

Pride Can Hold More Than One Feeling: LGBTQ+ Mental Health, Safety, and Support

Pride Month can be joyful, complicated, healing, or heavy. This blog explores LGBTQ+ mental health, emotional safety, family stress, relationships, and the importance of affirming support.

CCS Staff Writer 4/25/26 CCS Staff Writer 4/25/26

Did You Actually Hear What I Just Said? A Therapist’s Guide to Finally Feeling Heard

Even loving couples misunderstand each other. Learn practical therapist-backed tools to communicate more clearly and finally feel heard.

Makiel Cepeda 4/4/26 Makiel Cepeda 4/4/26

What to Expect When You're Expecting… Your First Couples Therapy Session

Starting couples therapy can feel intimidating, but it is often a sign of commitment, not failure. Learn what your first session will look like and how therapy can support your relationship.

CCS Support 3/14/26 CCS Support 3/14/26

When Love Hurts: Recognizing Emotional or Verbal Abuse

Emotional abuse often develops quietly through patterns of criticism, gaslighting, control, and self-doubt. Recognizing it is the first step toward clarity and support.

Sherry Shockey-Pope 2/14/26 Sherry Shockey-Pope 2/14/26

The Valentine’s Day Myth: Love Isn’t Built in One Night — It’s Built in the Little Moments

Valentine’s Day can turn love into a performance. This blog explores how real connection is built in everyday moments — not one perfect night.

CCS Support 1/31/26 CCS Support 1/31/26

Healthy Communication vs. Conflict Avoidance: Why Silence Isn’t Always Peace

Avoiding conflict may feel peaceful, but it can damage connection over time. Learn how healthy communication strengthens relationships and emotional safety.

CCS Support 1/24/26 CCS Support 1/24/26

Healthy Relationships Start With Emotional Safety

Emotional safety is the foundation of healthy relationships. Learn why it matters, how it affects mental health, and how to build safer, more supportive connections.

Sherry Shockey-Pope 11/1/25 Sherry Shockey-Pope 11/1/25

Why Shared Ground — Not Opposites — Keeps Love Alive

Opposites may attract, but shared rhythm keeps love alive. Discover how connection, curiosity, and compassion build lasting relationships in this Central Counseling Services feature on relationship health.

Sherry Shockey-Pope 7/1/22 Sherry Shockey-Pope 7/1/22

How To Stop Fighting Your Spouse

I’ve heard this often from either spouse, “I can’t read their mind.” I agree with this statement, “your spouse does not know how to meet your needs unless you know what they are and you communicate it.”

CCS Staff Writer 6/24/22 CCS Staff Writer 6/24/22

Change Your Attachment Style, Change Your Life!

This is the one we all are searching for and hope for. This is an understanding of healthy relationships.

CCS Staff Writer 6/17/22 CCS Staff Writer 6/17/22

Celebrating Father’s Day

With Father’s Day approaching many people are reminded of the presence of their father in their lives. Through history the importance of a father’s role in the family had been seen as primarily a provider and disciplinarian rather than a caretaker. In more recent times, it has been seen that father’s who are emotionally present and active in the child’s life can make a profound positive impact.

CCS Staff Writer 5/13/22 CCS Staff Writer 5/13/22

Borderline Personality Disorder and Relationships

Let's talk about borderline personality disorder (BPD) and relationships. The first thing we want to do is recognize the traits of borderline personality disorder. People with BPD tend to have an intense fear of being left alone or abandoned. Regardless of whether such abandonment is real or imagined, the individual may take extreme measures to avoid possible separation or rejection.

CCS Staff Writer 4/22/22 CCS Staff Writer 4/22/22

Save a relationship by using these ‘Fair Fighting Rules’.

As you are probably well aware, the last few years have been difficult due to so many occurrences happening in the world. Political issues, COVID-19, so many different losses in everyone’s life, not to mention all the different viewpoints related to all these topics

CCS Staff Writer 4/8/22 CCS Staff Writer 4/8/22

Emotional Intimacy

Have you ever spent the entire day with someone, but still felt like you missed them or you didn’t really connect in your time together? It’s possible that you are doing tasks alongside someone but missing emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy applies to all relationships.

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