A black heart is floating in the air on a white background.

How Your Childhood Affects Your Adult Relationships

Kathleen Maiman • October 18, 2010
For Oprah, Harville Hendrix was the best teacher of validation. Harville developed the Imago Theory, which is that you end up imaging in your adult relationship what you most need to heal from, whether physical or emotional wounds, received in childhood at the hands of your parents or caregivers. In 2006, Harville facilitated an Imago therapy session for Louie, who was abused as a child and was verbally, emotionally and physically abusing his wife.

Register for our Newsletter and receive a Free Love Chat Package

This Package Includes
  • The 5 Steps to a Better Relationship
  • Ongoing Monthly Relationship Tips
  • If you want more love in your life, our relationship Love Chat Package is an easy cost-free first step.
Click to Register
 Ice Skating Reflects the Dance of Lov
By Kathleen Maiman February 18, 2026
There are many highlights with the 2026 Olympics in Milan this winter. One of my favourites is the Ice Dancing Pairs. Watching them pursue the Olympic gold as a couple is breathtaking to watch. They are two people gliding across the ice as if they share one heartbeat. Every lift, every turn, every daring leap relies on
Couple on sofa talking to person in chair, bright room with flowers.
By Kathleen Maiman February 6, 2026
Every February, couples across the world brace themselves for Valentine's Day, sometimes with excitement, sometimes with dread. While the day can invite sweetness and connection, it can also stir up pressure, disappointment, or quiet resentment. As a couple’s therapist, I often see Valentine’s Day magnify whatever is already humming beneath the surface of a relationship: intimacy, disconnection, hope, or longing.
Couple embraces on a cliff with mountainous vista; man kisses woman's forehead, both facing the view, overcast sky.
By Kathleen Maiman January 28, 2026
Ever walk away from a talk feeling more alone? Discover the 3 silent conversation killers—and the simple, heart-centered shifts that turn "fixing" into "feeling."
Man and woman sitting on a gray couch, laughing. Man holding remote, woman with mug. Living room setting.
By Kathleen Maiman December 24, 2025
Every couple has a core conflict dynamic, a recurring emotional negative dance that shapes how fights unfold, no matter the trigger. It's not about who’s factually correct; it’s about the unmet needs humming beneath the words.
Two people holding red mugs with marshmallows in front of a fireplace.
By Kathleen Maiman December 19, 2025
The holidays can bring out the best and the worst in us. Between travel plans, family expectations, and endless to-do lists, even deeply connected couples and individuals can feel stretched thin. While this season promises joy and closeness, it also tests patience, communication, and self-care. Taking it easy—both with yourself and your partner and loved ones —can make all the difference.
Woman scolding man on couch; she gestures at a credit card, he looks down
By Kathleen Maiman November 24, 2025
Money fights aren’t about dollars—they’re about emotions. Learn how couples can turn financial tension into deeper trust and partnership.
Couple wrapped in white blanket, smiling, walking in a garden. Green grass, apple trees in background.
By Kathleen Maiman November 17, 2025
Instead of trying to "fix" your partner or stop fights, shift your focus to growth. Learn how a growth mindset deepens intimacy, builds empathy, and creates lasting change.
Man arranging plants near window; woman leaning on mop in living room.
By Kathleen Maiman October 31, 2025
Helping is often celebrated as the hallmark of compassion. Acts of generosity and care can bond people, ease suffering, and foster trust.
A couple sitting on a couch, each using a smartphone, facing away from each other. White brick wall background.
By Kathleen Maiman October 28, 2025
In today’s digital world, screens have woven themselves into every moment of our lives. From the first scroll in the morning to the last glance before sleep: our phones and tablets are shaping how couples are spending time together. Just have a look the next time you go out to dinner and see the couple both sitting on their phone while waiting for their dinner to arrive. While this technology connects partners across distances, it can also subtly erode emotional intimacy when left unchecked. You are not alone if you’ve ever tried to talk to your partner while their eyes are glued to a glowing screen. In today’s world, screen time has quietly become the “third wheel” in many relationships.
Silhouetted figures of two people jumping joyfully on a beach at sunset.
By Kathleen Maiman September 29, 2025
When we first meet, we are the best version of ourselves. We take care of ourselves and show up as our best self. In the first few weeks and months of a relationship, we are on our A game. We dress up, plan dates, show up, have fun, we listen and we are in a good mood and say yes to new experiences and adventures. We a