LoveBonds
By Terri DiMatteo, LPC
New Jersey’s trusted relationship and couple counselor, Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy, helps listeners unpack the mysteries of love, relationships, and infidelity!
LoveBonds May 10, 2018
141: From Trauma to Treatment: Healing Each Person in the Infidelity Triad with Dr. Sarah Fajgenbaum-Teslja, Part 1
In this first episode of this three-part series, Dr. Sarah Fajgenbaurm-Teslja and Terri DiMatteo, LPC discuss trauma and treatment for individuals in committed relationships or marriages whose spouse or partner intimately engages with another outside their relationship or marriage.
140: A Conversation with New Jersey’s Premier Dating Coach and Matchmaker Julianne Canterella, MSW
Do you find dating challenging, confusing, or puzzling? As a licensed therapist, dating coach, and matchmaker in New Jersey, Julianne Canterella provides expert advice to those seeking a fulfilling dating experience!
Visit her website at https://juliannecantarella.com/
139: A Conversation with Debbie Mirza, author of "The Covert Passive Aggressive #Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse"
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.debbiemirza.com
138: Love, Relationships, Betrayal and Healing: An Interview with Couple Therapist Terri DiMatteo, LPC by Sonia Schnee, Founder and Owner of Jersey Indie
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 regulation, and why is it so important?
- What is the leading cause of infidelity?
Listeners will surely find these eye-opening and insightful ideas about love, romance, and infidelity captivating and helpful!
137: The Turbo Relationship with PreMarital Specialist Dr. Mayi Dixon
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 Professional Counselor in Georgia specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy. In this episode, she addresses the many facets of the turbo relationship. She offers insightful guidance for couples in these pandemic-driven accelerated relationships. You can learn more about her services at premaritalbliss.com
Dr. Dixon is the host of The PreMarital Bliss Podcast. You can connect with her on these social media platforms:
136: Learn This Advanced Communication Skill For a Stronger Connection
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.
135: Emotional Affair v Sexual Affair
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.
134: What is a Healthy Relationship?
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.
133: From An Affair to Commitment: What You Need to Know
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.
132: How Your First Family Impacts Your Current Relationship
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.
131: Fierce Fighting Over Small Matters
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.
130: Why Emotional Acuity is Key to Relationship Success
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.
129: Do This One Thing Right Now for a Stronger Connection
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.
128: How to Talk to Your Partner During the Pandemic
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.
127: The Secret to Securely Connected Couples
126: Do This One Thing to Protect Your Relationship
125: How Couples Counseling Helps to Restore and Improve a Relationship
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 Manage Difficult Emotions.’
124: The Art of Romance: Heartfelt Ways of Making Your Partner Feel Loved and Desired
123: Getting Through Divorce
122: Reflections on the show ‘Married at First Sight’
121: What does it mean to repair a relationship?
120: Can Your Relationship Survive an Affair?
119: Why the "Best Friend" Relationship Model Doesn't Work
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 that is more akin to the romantic relationship.
118: The Function of a Romantic Relationship
Unfortunately, many such notions add to the confusion and misunderstanding already surrounding romantic relationships. Before you can restore or repair a romantic relationship you need to know what its function is, how it works and what it's supposed to do for you.
Relationship and couple counselor, Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy in Westfield, New Jersey unpacks it all in an easy to understand and helpful way.
December 3, 2019
117: Exploring the Old Adage "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'.
116: Three Problems With Online Dating
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.
115: One Reason Why Affair Recovery is So Difficult
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.
114: Will Your New Relationship Last? One Way to Find Out
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.
113: How to Know When It's Time to Call it Quits
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.
112:Challenging Popular Notions on the Affair Triad
111: The Psychopathic Partner: Terri DiMatteo, LPC in Conversation with Steve Becker, LCSW
Steve is the author of "The Inner World of the Psychopath: A Definitive Primer on the Psychopathic Personality" available on Amazon.
Visit Steve's website www.powercommunicating.com
Visit Steve's YouTube Channel Steve Becker, LCSW
110: Terri DiMatteo with Pre-Marital Bliss Podcast Host Mayi Dixon on the Challenges of Pre-Marital Infidelity
What is a couple to do when infidelity occurs before getting married? Mayi Dixon, LPC host of Anchor's "The PreMarital Bliss Podcast," interviews relationship and couples counselor Terri DiMatteo. The two discuss the unique concerns that occur when infidelity happens before getting married. What is the best response, and what is the best way forward? You can learn more about Mayi by visiting her website www.innovcounseling.com and by listening to her at "The PreMarital Bliss Podcast" on Apple Podcasts here.
109: Why You May Still Be Thinking About An Old Flame
Do you still occasionally think about a romantic partner from your past? Do you sometimes wonder 'what if?' even though many years have passed and each of you has moved on? Does a particular past person still hold a tender place in your heart? If so, perhaps you have experienced a love that was interrupted rather than an actual break-up. This episode is based on the fascinating research on lost love by Dr. Nancy Kalish.
108: Making Sense of Infidelity: An interview by Dini of Vigilantes Radio with Terri DiMatteo, LPC
Infidelity is a relationship trauma that hurts. Affairs require lies and deception to occur. The paid and suffering in the aftermath lingers a lifetime. With all of that, is there anything about infidelity that makes sense? Is there any logic to it? Relationship and couples counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC discusses how infidelity 'makes sense' with Dini of Vigilantes Radio on the "Inside The Biz" Series.
107: The Trouble With Conflict Avoidance
It is a common misconception that a relationship lacking in conflict is desirable. Many couples that find themselves in couples counseling report, "we never fight." Although they are experiencing angst, they don't engage in conflict. What is the problem with having a "conflict-free" relationship and "getting alone"? Trusted relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy, explains why going 'conflict-free does more harm than good for a relationship.
106: Was it cheating or not?
Did your partner cheat on you? Are you sure? Does one of you think the other cheated, yet you can't agree that cheating has occurred? Which behaviors constitute infidelity? Is kissing another an act of betrayal? Is excessive texting or emotional sharing with another infidelity? Is there an identifiable line? How can it be so confusing? Affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy, clears up the confusion.
105: The Complex Challenges of "No Contact" With the Affair Partner (Part Three of Three Parts)
The first task in affair recovery is to fully and permanently conclude the relationship with the outside party or the affair-partner. Full affair recovery cannot truly take place while a spouse or committed partner remains in contact with the affair-partner. While this task can occur expediently, more often than not, it is usually a challenging process that often comes with some backsliding. This stage of affair recovery is a complex and highly misunderstood process. How "no contact" takes place is critical. Listen now to part one of a three-part segment on "The Complex Challenges of 'No Contact' With the Affair Partner" as explained by affair recovery expert, Terri DiMatteo, LPC.
104: The Complex Challenges of "No Contact" With the Affair Partner (Part Two of Three Parts)
The first task in affair recovery is to fully and permanently conclude the relationship with the outside party or the affair-partner. Full affair recovery cannot truly take place while a spouse or committed partner remains in contact with the affair-partner. While this task can occur expediently, more often than not, it is usually a challenging process that often comes with some backsliding. This stage of affair recovery is a complex and highly misunderstood process. How "no contact" takes place is critical. Listen now to part one of a three-part segment on "The Complex Challenges of 'No Contact' With the Affair Partner" as explained by affair recovery expert, Terri DiMatteo, LPC.
103: The Complex Challenges of "No Contact" With the Affair Partner (Part One of Three Parts)
The first task in affair recovery is to fully and permanently conclude the relationship with the outside party or the affair partner. Full affair recovery cannot fully occur while a spouse or committed partner contacts the affair partner. While this task can occur expediently, more often than not, it is usually a challenging process that often comes with some backsliding. This stage of affair recovery is a complex and highly misunderstood process. How "no contact" takes place is critical. Listen now to part one of a three-part segment on "The Complex Challenges of 'No Contact' With the Affair Partner," as explained by affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC.
102: The Surprising Reason People Have Affairs
There are many notions about why people have affairs that suggest a biological predisposition, that partners who stray are immoral individuals without conscience or that society and culture are to blame. Affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy, has quite a different thought on the matter.
101: How Love Helps Manage Difficult Emotions and Why It Matters
When asked what a relationship is for, most people respond that it's for companionship, sharing tasks, and sexual intimacy. While those things are true, romantic love serves a greater purpose. Romantic love has a very significant meaning and function. Specifically, it helps partners regulate difficult emotions and serve as a buffer from the stresses and strains of life. Getting that functionality right is key to relationship satisfaction! Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy breaks it down.