Dr. Richard Nicastro

Marriage Help: One Question Couples Should Avoid

Questions have power. They can open our minds up to new possibilities and ways-of-being, they can alter the course of our thoughts and shape our behavior in positive ways... ...and questions can have the opposite effect, shutting us down with the force... Read >

Relationship Help: Why Do I Get So Upset with My Partner?

Q: I need some relationship help. While I love my husband with all my heart, sometimes it's just so frustrating being married to him. When I feel that he's ignoring me, I get so upset, and he's usually surprised by the intensity of my reaction. Why do I g... Read >

Relationship Advice for Men: How to be Open to Intimacy

Have you ever related to your spouse/partner in a totally non-defensive, emotionally open way? If you have, in that moment you and your spouse/partner were vulnerable and receptive to each other’s emotional needs/experiences. To do this, you were ... Read >

Relationship Help: Transform Your Marriage With a Question

Questions have the power to change people... For centuries, philosophers have known about the power of questions as a tool to finding the deeper truths about life. And questions are one of the central ways in which therapists (including marriage/couple... Read >

Marriage advice: 5 reasons marriages end in divorce

Q: "I'm getting married in a month and want to know why so many marriages end in divorce. What should I look out for? How can I prevent divorce?" ~Sandra, Houston TX A: Understanding why a marriage or relationship might fail can alert couples to the... Read >

Marriage help: Are your arguments helping or hurting your marriage?

Q: "I need some marriage advice. Is arguing bad for a marriage? My husband says it's healthy to argue from time to time but I try to avoid marital conflict at all costs. Can you shed some light on this for us?" A: Relationship conflicts are a natura... Read >

Marriage advice: Want a healthier marriage? Watch your mouth!

Here is my marriage advice to all couples: If you want to strengthen your marriage or relationship: Watch your mouth! Marriage help: It's all about the words we choose There's an old Bee Gees song that says, "It's only words, and words are all I... Read >

Men and Intimacy: Is It Really a Fear of Intimacy?

What is a fear of intimacy? The term "fear of intimacy" is often used to describe someone who has difficulty creating a close connection with their spouse/partner. Typically, the phrase highlights a person's struggle to become physically and/or emotio... Read >

Marriage advice: Your marriage needs this simple communication strategy

Arguments are a regular part of Lindsey and Hector's relationship. During a recent couples counseling session, they volleyed insults back and forth with such intensity that I almost stopped the session. But then something remarkable happened: Lindsey s... Read >

Marriage help: Are you making this communication mistake?

When couples come to me for help, the first thing I do is observe how they communicate with each other. Communication is often the gauge of the health of a relationship. There are certain effective communication principles that can help you create a more ... Read >

Marriage help: Bring intimacy back into your marriage

Couples often seek out my relationship help or marriage advice because of difficulties with intimacyâ€"they no longer feel a deep emotional connection with their spouse/partner. Why are so many couples struggling with emotional intimacy? In order t... Read >

Marriage Advice: Turning conflict into opportunities

"I really hate it when we argue…but I've also learned so much about my husband from our fights and we have a stronger relationship now." ~Sandra, married seven years Even the most effective communicators get into spats now and then. And despite your ... Read >

Relationship help: 5 essentials to keep your relationship fresh

Anyone who is married or in a long-term committed relationship comes to realize that at some point there is a danger of falling into a lifeless routine. The vast number of marriage advice and relationship help books is a clear indication that couples are... Read >

Marriage Help: Avoid these relationship traps and build a stronger union

I'm often asked, "What is one of the most challenging issues couples face today?" While every couple is different, there are themes that I see in my work as a couples counselor and relationship coach. One common issue is the difficulty couples have in... Read >

Relationship Help: 3 Steps to Becoming A Better Listener

"You never listen to me…I've asked you a thousand times to let me know when you can't pick the kids up from daycare!" In my work with couples, it is common to hear one person accuse the other of "not listening." This usually takes the following form:... Read >