In our MM clinical practice, most of our couples present with what appears to be a communication breakdown. Couples might report escalating arguments, emotional distancing, or a sense of brewing resentment. While learning new communication strategies can be helpful, they often do not address the deeper causes at play.

From an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) lens, relationship distress is primarily about disconnection. Beneath the obvious conflict, there is usually an unmet attachment need. Partners are rarely arguing about just about content (eg. “the dirty dishes); they are instead reacting to a perceived threat to emotional safety and connection (“alone, unappreciated, unloved”).