In the middle of an argument, one partner shuts down—arms folded, eyes downcast, words cut off. Silence fills the room, but it’s not the peaceful kind. It’s a heavy pause that leaves both partners feeling hurt, rejected, and unheard. This is emotional withdrawal, also known as stonewalling, and while it may feel protective in the moment, it can erode trust and intimacy over time. Here’s what emotional withdrawal looks like, why it happens, and how couples can break the cycle together.

Conflict is inevitable in any relationship—but how you handle it can strengthen or weaken your bond. In this post, Sex Therapist & Relationship Counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee, explores 10 transformative strategies to help couples communicate with empathy, avoid escalating fights, and deepen their connection even through disagreement.

The silent treatment can be a relationship's ticking time bomb, hiding deeper issues like resentment, anger, and unresolved conflicts. But what drives this toxic behavior? And how can you break free from its suffocating grip?

Learn how the Four Horsemen of Gottman Method affect your communication style with your partner in times of conflict and what you can do to prevent them.

Do you often find yourself in an impasse during your conflict as a couple? Likely one or both of your vulnerability is being triggered. Read on to learn how to get out of this vicious escalating cycle.

Learn how culture can impact how we understand and approach conflict with counsellor, career coach and parenting coach Paula Brunning.

Are you constantly fighting as a couple, and usually over the same thing? How can we break out for this perpetual cycle of conflict?