Arms Open: Real Talk for Real Relationships

Angela Kingma

Arms Open: Real Talk for Real Relationships is a podcast from Arms Open Counselling. It features relationship advice and lessons from certified therapist Angela Kingma.

  1. Don't Fix It, Feel It

    Apr 15

    Don't Fix It, Feel It

    In this episode, Angela explores one of the most quietly misunderstood skills in relationships — the stress-reducing conversation. Not every hard moment needs a solution. Sometimes what your partner needs most is simply to feel heard, held, and less alone in what they're carrying. Angela shares a hilarious (and completely relatable) client story about a well-meaning partner who showed up to an emotional conversation with a spiral-bound notebook and bullet-pointed action items — and uses it to unpack why the fix-it instinct, while rooted in love, can accidentally leave partners feeling unseen. Relationship Reset Challenge Try the 10-minute rule. Give your partner ten minutes of uninterrupted, advice-free listening — no solutions, no redirects, no silver linings, and absolutely no notebooks. Ask one open question: "What's been the hardest part of this for you?" Then just be there with what comes. Notice what shifts — in them, and in you. Resources mentioned Arms Open Counselling resources and blog posts: www.armsopencounselling.comThe Gottman Institute — stress-reducing conversations and rituals of connection: www.gottman.comDr. Sue Johnson — Emotion-Focused Therapy for couples: www.iceeft.com Connect with Us If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a partner or friend! Follow @ArmsOpenCounselling on Instagram and Facebook for more relationship wisdom, behind-the-scenes therapy insights, and heart-centered tips. Presented by: Angela Kingma Edited by: Tayte McHugh

    14 min

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Arms Open: Real Talk for Real Relationships is a podcast from Arms Open Counselling. It features relationship advice and lessons from certified therapist Angela Kingma.