Abi Ray LMFT Podcasts

Within the realm of intimate relationships, partners often take on one of two roles. This dynamic is known as the Pursuer vs. Distancer pattern and emphasizes the natural give and take of a relationship. On their best days, pursuers are ambitious, passionate, and direct, while distancers are confident, self-reliant, and stoic. However, when problem…

Wouldn’t it be great to navigate relationships without misunderstanding, disagreement, or conflict? While an honorable pursuit, the effort can feel futile. Thankfully, according to relationship experts John and Sue Gottman, it is not the amount of strife we encounter that is tied to relational fulfillment but rather the quality and genuineness of o…

With hectic schedules, frequent TDY's, and upbeat training tempos, it's no surprise that stress and disconnection are two of service couple's greatest challenges. While service members report that stress and limited bandwidth lead to feelings of disconnection, spouses and families report that disconnection leads to greater levels of stress. While t…

We've all been there. Where you walk in the door and greet your partner or housemate with a "How was your day?" only to half listen to what they say. With hectic schedules, upbeat training tempos, and frequent TDYs, it's not uncommon to experience a decline in attention and concentration by the end of the day. This is the brain's way of repairing a…