David Hopkinson, Ph.D., P.C., Psychologist

Successful Marriage Is Based Upon Trust

Marriage is among the most meaningful of relationships. Finding ways to have a satisfying connection - without losing ourselves - is vital to our health and sense of well-being. Without trust, there can be no emotional initmacy. Partners who do not know how to establish trust may wonder why their marriage provides so little satisfaction. A good marriage requires maintainence.

Empathy Makes Trust Possible

Empathy - the capacity to understand the feelings of another person - is not a mere theory about what a person may be experiencing, but a willingness to "feel their feelings", with them. Empathy makes trust possible, allowing us to identify with each other, to have a sense of our common experience. Without empathy, marriage is an impersonal relationship.

Which Statements Are True for You and Your Partner?

I can confide in my partner as a trusted friend.
A wall of silence exists between my partner and me.
I regret being with my partner and wonder why I stay.
My spouse and I often laugh, joke and have fun together.
As often as once per week, my partner really gets on my nerves.
My partner listens to me, even when disagreeing with what I say.
We can discuss our controversial issues without fighting destructively.
I am not certain that my partner is really committed to staying with me.
My partner and I are affectionate with each other; we kiss and hug every day.
I often think about leaving, divorce, separation or breaking off the relationship.

"All marriages are mixed marriages." - Chantal Saperstein