

What Healthy Couples Know That You Don't
Rhoda Sommer on Relationships
Relationships matter. Do you want to know the nitty gritty of what makes a relationship work? Get your answers to relationship questions. Learn how to keep respect alive & well, because lack of respect is why people get divorced. Learn what builds trust & how to recover from infidelity, drama or codependency. Advice from psychotherapist Rhoda Sommer based on over 35 years of working with couples. www.therapyideas.net
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 1, 2025 • 60min
Trust as a Superpower: Strengthening Couples and Families
Trust is the foundation a healthy relationship builds on because it creates a sense of safety between partners. Trust is when both people can be open and vulnerable especially in uncertainty. Trust is a big deal that requires some skills that we will learn more about today. Trust leads to individuals feeling seen, heard, and valued for who they truly are. Trust builds resilience that can withstand all the challenges life throws at us.

Sep 24, 2025 • 39min
Silencing Your Own Inner Critic (&Your Child's)
Today we are going to deal with that voice in all of our heads- the one that judges, doubts, second-guesses, and compares. It tells us we’re not doing enough, we’re not good enough, or we’re not parenting the right way. That voice, often called the inner critic, is oh so relentless. Even casual external criticism, easily fuels this voice that lives in our heads 24/7.

Sep 9, 2025 • 56min
Team Us: Relationship Tips to Stay Aligned, Fair, and Connected
If you’ve been feeling a bit disconnected, imbalanced, or just unsure of how to get back in sync with your partner—this episode is for you. Let’s explore how to make “Team Us” not just a nice idea, but a reality you live in your relationship. Whether you’ve been together for 3 years or fifty, keeping your relationship on the same page takes more than love—it takes intention, collaboration, and the ongoing decision to show up as a team.

Aug 21, 2025 • 55min
Estrangement from Parents, Siblings, or Children: Each Story is Different
Today we’re talking about the family stories that don’t always get told—Family estrangement is one of those deeply personal experiences that often lives in the shadows—unspoken, misunderstood, and emotionally charged. While we may see stories of reconciliation in movies or TV shows, real life is far messier. People are walking around carrying the weight of broken ties with parents, siblings, or even their own children—and many of them feel very isolated in that pain & shame.

Aug 5, 2025 • 55min
How to Be More Open and Connected Right Now in Your Relationship
Real connecting with another person requires attention. In a world with so much going on, we often end up easily distracted by our fears & negative thoughts. We too quickly rise to defensiveness which builds a wall, instead of being open to understanding the differences we have with somebody else. Just because we love somebody doesn’t meant mean we pay enough attention in the moment.

Jul 23, 2025 • 50min
Navigating Divorce with Mediation: Save Time, Money, and Heartache
Divorce doesn't have to be a battlefield. In this episode, we explore the growing popularity of divorce mediation: why so many couples are turning to it, what it can save you emotionally and financially, and when it might backfire. From power imbalances to hidden agendas, we’ll unpack the pros and cons of sitting down at the table instead of standing before a judge. This conversation pulls back the curtain on what works—and what doesn’t—when love ends and legal agreements begin.

Jul 9, 2025 • 34min
Who Are We Now? After Decades Together Redefine Your Relationship
So it’s been decades of doing life together—raising kids, building careers, caring for aging parents—it’s no wonder your relationship might feel like it’s been on autopilot. Beneath the surface of routine and responsibility, there's still something worthwhile waiting to be rediscovered. Today, we’re talking about how to breathe life back into a long-term relationship and create a second marriage with the same person—one that’s deeper, more emotionally connected, and aligned with who you are now.

Jun 18, 2025 • 53min
Invest In Your Own Love Story
Investing in your own love story is one of the most empowering decisions you can make. It means choosing to be intentional about how you love and how you show up in that love. When you prioritize your own relationship, you’re not just hoping for a fairy tale ending—you’re becoming the author, editor, and leading character. This shift from passive participation to active creation is what sets apart relationships that grow & thrive

Jun 2, 2025 • 27min
The Resentment Trap: Holding Grudges in Relationships
Resentments are part of all long-term relationships because there are two imperfect people rubbing shoulders day in and day out. Inevitably feelings get hurt & needs are not going to be met. We’re not trained on how to handle that well, so we do it poorly. We either stuff it or are passive aggressive, then we wall ourselves & nothing else goes well.

May 13, 2025 • 19min
My Decade Behind The Mic On Relationships and 40+ Years As A Therapist
There have been a lot of experiments on my path to becoming a therapist over the last 40 years. And I am celebrating a decade of podcasting in April of 2025. Making uncertainty bearable in order to take risks, experimenting with choices and exploring is the best path to find your best life. My podcast isn't about changing the essence of who you are. It's about becoming more whole, adding to your abilities not subtracting them