Navigating Difficulties in Relationships

By Christy Monson

Retired Marriage and Family Therapist

Liahona Jan 2023

Navigating challenges in our family relationships can test us to our emotional limits. As a therapist, I saw many heart-wrenching situations. But I also witnessed blessings in the lives of those who faced their family trials by seeking the Lord’s help to improve their communication, increase their love and understanding, and work together on making important changes. With the Lord’s help, they found strength to grow through their problems....

Ideas for Saving Disconnected Relationships

We believe families can be together forever. But sometimes our choices or the choices of family members can cause significant damage to our relationships. Here are some ideas for how you can help repair or strengthen difficult relationships:

• Include God in your healing, individually and together.

• Make plans for walking away from a harmful relationship if both of you won’t do the work.

• Find outside help, such as a therapist or your bishop.

• Learn to listen.

• Learn how to talk about hard things.

• State your needs and wants.

• Set boundaries.

• Take a time-out when the communication becomes blaming or critical.

• Don’t end a difficult conversation without deciding what each of you will do differently.

• Find ways to appreciate each other.

• Be willing to forgive and seek forgiveness.