Neil Rosenthal's Blog, page 14

“Safe Intimacy” Isn’t Very Satisfying

Dear Neil: How can safety be built into a relationship? Do you have any suggestions on how to do so? I’m with a guy that is afraid to risk much because he’s afraid of getting hurt again. Don’t Know What […]

How Do I Handle an Unequal Contribution From My Husband?

Dear Neil: I need help. I find myself being frustrated and resentful toward my husband. I have been taking care of and providing for our family all of our married life (15 years), while he hops from one job to […]

Reader Writes: Don’t Tolerate Someone Who Runs Away From You. Move On.

Dear Neil: My advice to all these people who are in a relationship with someone who repeatedly runs away from a loving relationship: Move on, it’s only going to continue. If you are over the age of 30, you don’t […]

Afraid of Taking a Risk Because I’m Afraid of Getting Hurt Again

Dear Neil: I was once in a relationship with a guy and it ended badly. Now, the moment guys start getting serious with me, I pull away and cut off my feelings for them. I’m in a romance right now […]

When Your Boyfriend is Scared of Love

Dear Neil: I have known this man since middle school, he was my best friend. But in the last year, we fell in love. Things were well, until one day he said he needed space. He said he has never […]

Creating a Wall to Protect Yourself Also Keeps You From Feeling Close

Dear Neil: My 2 previous marriages ended with me being deceived by both of my ex’s. This made me create a wall to protect myself. I am now engaged to someone who has lied to me several times, and he […]

How Do I Stop My Boyfriend From Shutting Down?

Dear Neil: My boyfriend of 4 years is famous for shutting down, and I am a yeller. (I communicate that way. That is how I express myself.) I yell because I am trying to get him to communicate with me […]

Fiancé Criticizes Me, Can’t Handle It When I Criticize Him

Dear Neil: My fiancé will dish out a fair amount of criticism at me. But if I say anything that shows unhappiness about him, he falls apart, withholding affection and withdrawing for days. He tells me he absolutely can’t function […]

Feeling Unworthy of Love. What Can I Do?

Dear Neil: I push everyone around me away, and my worst problem is that I’m sabotaging a relationship with a caring, loving and intelligent man who I don’t want to lose. I don’t have good friends other than him, so […]

Reader Asks: What Do I Do About a Sexless Marriage?

Dear Neil: I was in a loveless marriage for years. My wife had sex with me less than once a year for 13 years, although we did make three children together. At one point, there was 5 years with no […]