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Listening to a friend vent about their bad marriage can take its toll—but how do you help them out without pushing them away? Figuring out what to say and how to say it is important, especially if your friend has no plans of leaving their spouse. In this article, we’ve detailed the specific ways you can support your friend who’s in a tough marriage without overstepping your boundaries.
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QuestionWhat do you say to someone who is struggling in their marriage?Michael Dickerson is a Clinical Psychologist with over 6 years of experience working in college counseling. He specializes in anxiety, OCD, and men's mental health. Michael holds a BA in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) from The Wright Institute in Berkeley CA.Remind them that you're here to listen, and be open and understanding as they share their struggles with you. If you've gone through something similar, feel free to share that experience with them—self disclosure feels more comfortable when it goes both ways.
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- Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too. If you need to set boundaries and ask your friend not to talk about their bad marriage for a while, that’s totally valid. [16] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/helping-a-friend-in-an-unhealthy-relationship-or-friendship
- ↑ Michael Dickerson, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/questions-to-ask-if-youre-worried-about-your-friends-relationship/
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/helping-a-friend-in-an-unhealthy-relationship-or-friendship
- ↑ https://www.thehotline.org/support-others/ways-to-support-a-domestic-violence-survivor/
- ↑ Michael Dickerson, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
- ↑ Michael Dickerson, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/helping-a-friend-in-an-unhealthy-relationship-or-friendship
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-chains/202006/help-someone-in-abusive-or-controlling-relationship
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/get-help/how-help-friend
- ↑ https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/get-help/how-help-friend
- ↑ https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/questions-to-ask-if-youre-worried-about-your-friends-relationship/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/invisible-chains/202006/help-someone-in-abusive-or-controlling-relationship
- ↑ Michael Dickerson, PsyD. Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Expert Interview. 3 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/helping-a-friend-in-an-unhealthy-relationship-or-friendship
- ↑ https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/questions-to-ask-if-youre-worried-about-your-friends-relationship/
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