In this first episode of this three-part series, Dr. Sarah Fajgenba⁠urm-Teslja⁠ and ⁠Terri DiMatteo, LPC⁠ discuss trauma and treatment for individuals in committed relationships or marriages whose spouse or partner intimately engages with another outside their relationship or marriage.

Do you find dating challenging, confusing, or puzzling? As a licensed therapist, dating coach, and matchmaker in New Jersey, Julianne Canterella provides expert advice to those seeking a fulfilling dating experience! Visit her website at https://juliannecantarella.com/ Facebook Linkedin

Does your spouse or partner constantly criticize you, sulk, take credit for your ideas, display incongruent words and actions, exhibit silent rage, and withhold praise and recognition? If so, you may be in a relationship with a #covert passive-aggressive #narcissist. In this episode author Debbie Mirza shares her personal story, helps listeners identify #covertnarcissism and ways to heal. To learn more about Debbie, purchase her books and discover helpful, healing resources visit...

Could you be in a relationship with a covert passive-aggressive narcissist? Is your partner likable and friendly with others while doling out subtle insults and quiet, slippery put-downs to you?  When things go wrong, is it always somehow your fault? In this episode, Terri DiMatteo interviews Debbie Mirza, the author of The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse.  For more about Debbie and her work,...

Are YOU in a relationship with a Covert Passive-Aggressive Narcissist? Does your partner appear likable while doling out subtle insults and put-downs to you?  In this episode, Terri DiMatteo interviews Debbie Mirza  the author of The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse.  For more about Debbie and her work, visit  debbiemirza.com

Debbie Mirza is an international best-selling author, speaker, and singer/songwriter. She is the author of The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: Recognizing the Traits and Finding Healing After Hidden Emotional and Psychological Abuse, Worthy of Love: A Gentle and Restorative Path to Healing after Narcissistic Abuse, and The Safest Place Possible: A Guide to Healing and Transformation In addition to her books, she has created helpful resources for people who have been through...

Many misconceptions exist about love, relationships, infidelity, and relationship repair. In this episode, New Jersey couple therapist and affair recovery counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy in Princeton, NJ.  This enlightening interview with Sonia Schnee, Founder, and Owner of Jersey Indie, covers the following:  Why is 'communication' not the critical ingredient to a romantic relationship? What defines a romantic relationship?  What is a bond of intimacy?  What is...

It’s no secret that the pandemic has had a wide-ranging effect on romantic relationships, including new romantic relationships. The Turbo Relationship is a term used to describe new relationships that formed during the pandemic that moved quickly toward commitment. The rapid commitment speed in a pandemic environment has both short- and long-term effects on the couple, as you’ll learn from our guest on the topic, Dr. Mayi Dixon. Dr. Mayi Dixon of Innovative Counseling Solutions is a Licensed...

The real secret to a long-term, satisfying and fulfilling relationship is in how a couple restores their relationship following conflict.  This is an introduction to an upcoming series on The Art of Relationship Repair by relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo, LPC of Open Door Therapy.    To receive the series subscribe to the newsletter, LoveBonds at opendoortherapy.net

Communicating with your most important person can be challenging. You want and need their focused attention. When you lose it, panic can set in. To help insure that you have your spouse or partner’s undivided attention, master this higher level communication skill.

The holidays add additional stress due to the extra chores, travel, and extended family relations. This year - due to the pandemic - it’s holiday stress is on steroids! As a result, it’s more important than ever that you and your beloved safeguard and protect your very precious relationship. You need one another more than ever. This episode provides ideas, suggestions, and techniques for staying close, and connected during these very trying times.

The holidays add additional stress due to the extra labor, travel, hosting and family relations. This year they are the holidays on steroids. It’s more important than ever that you and your spouse or partner safeguard and protect your very precious relationship. You need each other more than ever. This episode gives you ideas and suggestions for staying close and connected to one another during this very difficult holiday season.

Some people debate what’s worse: an emotional affair or a sexual affair. Generally, these opinions tend to be driven by personal relationship values. At the same time, there are differences between the emotional affairs and sexual affairs. Have a listen as affair recovery expert Terri DiMatteo, LPC unpacks it all for you!

One barrier to obtaining relationship satisfaction is not really knowing what a healthy, satisfying, and loving relationship really is. The romantic relationship serves a specific purpose and function that mystifies and confuses many. Marriage and relationship counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy demystifies the healthy relationship to that you can not only identify it but also achieve it for yourself. 

There’s no question that the pandemic is adding additional stress and strain in romantic relationships. This episode will address those strains in an effort to increase empathy and understanding for a deeper, more meaningful connection.

Though rare, there are occasions when a committed relationship or marriage emerges out of an affair relationship. These couples face unique challenges: what are they and what do they need to know?

The family you grew up in has a profound impact on your current love relationship. Our first family teaches us about love and conflict. Examining the ways in which your family has impacted you -- and the effect your partner or spouse's family has had on him or her -- can have a profound effect on helping each of you gain a better understanding of your relationship together.  Couples Counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy breaks it down for you for greater relationship success. Listen...

Do fights over the dishes, laundry, groceries or other small matters quickly turn to blowouts? What’s that all about? Relationship and couple counselor Terri DiMatteo of Open Door Therapy breaks it down for you and provides a remedy that works. Say good-bye to big fights over the little things.

Most people think that when it comes to romantic relationships “communication” is key. In truth, emotional connection and emotional intimacy are what makes or breaks relationships. Emotional acuity will help you get this right. Find out how.

Nothing feels right when you and your partner are arguing. Maybe one or both of you can’t sleep. Or, concentration and focus becomes difficult. Perhaps you start fighting with friends or co-workers — or just feel irritable and uneasy. It’s very important for your own well-being and the state of your relationship to reconnect after a disagreement, but how do you do it? This episode will help you get there.

You and your partner are together all day, all night, day in and day out. It’s too much forced togetherness and it’s a recipe for disaster. While needing to create space and distance in this environment is perfectly understandable, how you do it requires thought and care. This episode will help you get the space you need, while protecting your partner and your relationship.

Couples often express to one another what they need and want and how their partner has fallen short. Underneath it all, there is pain and worry that their partner may not love them, have their back or really care. They can feel alone in the relationship. Changing just one simple thing can help move your relationship from adversity to connection. Listen now to discover the one simple thing you can do right now that can have a profound effect.

It’s been rough. The pandemic is putting a strain on the best of relationships. Talking about simple things can quickly become tense and elevated. This episode provides effective techniques to connect with your partner so that you can talk with civility to each other once again.

Lounging around in your jammies and joggers with overgrown hair and a bucket full of worries is hardly the recipe for feeling amorous! None of this is conducive to feeling sexy, romantic, flirty or fun.  The pandemic may be taking a disastrous toll on your sex life, and ultimately on your relationship.  If so, it's time to turn things around and place your sex life front and center!  Listen now to find out why you should prioritize your sex life, how it can be done and the benefits you'll...