Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D.
Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D. Quick Facts
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Article
Are You Fully Present in Your Marriage?
"Presence is more than just being there," states Malcolm S.Forbes. How true! Have you ever been talking with someone and felt that they were miles away even though they were sitting next to you? They might have appeared to be listening, but you could sense that they werenât really mentally and emotionally present in the conversation. We all have moments when our mind wanders and we lose focus, but if this happens frequently, our relationships with others will be negatively
August 2, 2010
Article
Why Always Having to Be Right Can Poison Your Relationships
When someone feels that he or she always has to be right, you can bet that thereâs trouble ahead in the relationship arena. It doesnât take a fortune teller with a crystal ball to predict the future when a person is determined to win every argument or disagreement at any cost.nnAlways having to be right is damaging to relationships because it interferes with healthy communication, shared decision-making, and trust. nnIt is destructive to the self-esteem and self-confidenc
November 25, 2008
Article
Why Retaliation Affairs Only Make Things Worse
Itâs not unusual for a partner whose mate has had an affair to have a âget evenâ or âretaliation affair.â The feelings of betrayal and the emotional pain are so devastating that the partner may want to hurt the mate like he (or she) has been hurt.nnIn some cases, the affair is planned out in advance as a deliberate way to get even and cause pain to the mate. In other cases, the betrayed partner confides in a sympathetic friend or co-worker and ends up becoming emoti
November 25, 2008
Article
Ten Ways to Add Sizzle in the Bedroom
Have you ever wondered what it would take to improve the sex life in your relationship? If so, youâre not alone.nnToo often, couples watch the quality of their bedroom intimacy deteriorate after initially having a satisfying sex life. And equally troubling, they donât have a clue what to do about it.nnOne thingâs for sureâsizzling sex in the bedroom doesnât just happen on its own after the initial excitement has started to wear off! Ironically, it takes an understan
November 25, 2008
Article
How to Cope with a Critical Partner
Do any of these statements describe your feelings?nn___ You often feel that your partner criticizes you unfairly.nn___ You feel that your partner consistently looks for nit-picking things to criticize.n n____You feel that your partner routinely criticizes you for things that have been blown out of proportion or are beyond your control. nnIf you answer âyesâ to at least one of these statements, you may be living with a partner who finds it easier to find fault than to prai
November 25, 2008
Article
How to Keep Jealousy from Destroying Your Relationship
Jealousy has often been called the âgreen-eyed monster,â and with good reason. The âmonsterâ is fueled by envy and can over time devour the trust and harmony in a relationship.nnAccording to B.C. Forbes, âJealousyâ¦is a mental cancer.â It spreads quickly and can be fatal to a relationship. Once it gets a foothold, the jealous partner becomes even more jealous, often over insignificant things.n nWhen weâre jealous, weâre in a state of dissatisfaction with ours
November 25, 2008
Article
Are You Letting the Economy Set the Mood for Your Marriage?
If you and your spouse are struggling with marriage problems right now, you have an even greater challenge than usual--and that is to stay focused and committed in spite of the current economic crisis and dire predictions. nnItâs difficult to stay proactive and positive when youâre surrounded by such fear and negativity, but itâs important not to let the gloomy financial news and forecasts set the mood for your marriage or determine the outcome.n nIf you get disheartene
November 21, 2008
Article
What Can You Do About Control Issues in Your Relationship?
Itâs so much easier to blame your partner than to look at yourselfâand this is especially true when relationship control issues are involved.nnIf youâre the more controlling partner, itâs tempting to blame your passive mate for waiting so long to speak up about her (or his) distress over the situation. If youâre the more passive partner, itâs tempting to blame your controlling partner for not respecting your feelings or insisting that you always do things his(or h
November 20, 2008
Article
Improve Your Relationship by Taking Care of Yourself First
Itâs important for you to take care of yourself before you try to fix your relationship. The old saying âYou canât give away what you donât haveâ applies here. Until you are peaceful and happy, you wonât have a peaceful, happy relationship.nnIf you skip these steps and jump immediately into the murky waters of your troubled relationship, you are at high risk for going under. Thatâs why itâs so important to do all you can to stabilize yourself before you get in
November 20, 2008
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Ten Secrets To Improved Communication With Your Partner
When I asked several hundred people recently to name the biggest challenge in their relationship, the number one complaint was âpoor communication with my partner.ânnAnd in my many years of helping couples stay connected, Iâve seen that poor communication has been a leading cause for couples to break up.nnWhy, you ask?nnWithout good communication, you canât have a satisfying relationship. When communication is blocked or non-existent, a relationship canât thrive. So
June 22, 2008
Article
Is Your Mateâs Passive-Aggressive Behavior Driving You Crazy?
Kaylaâs husband Jon is an expert at getting out of things he doesnât want to do. He âforgetsâ to stop by the store on the way home from work when he doesnât want to be bothered. If he doesnât want to help Kayla with the house cleaning, he does such a poor job that she ends up redoing his part.nnOutwardly, Jon is agreeable and compliant. When Kayla asks him to do something, heâll generally say âokayâ or nod in agreement. Kayla has been let down so many times
February 19, 2008
Article
Can A Marital Separation Ever Save A Marriage?
As an experienced counselor, one of the questions Iâm asked frequently is, âCan a marital separation ever save a marriage?â My answer is a qualified âyes.ânnSometimes a couple is miserable living together and canât seem to co-exist without having constant harping and bickering. If they have children, they may worry about the impact on them of all the fighting. Each spouse wants the marriage to work and is willing to work on the problems and issues in marriage coun
February 19, 2008