009: Common Relationship Problems with Dr. Rev. Clyde Angel

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Communicate & Connect Podcast, sponsored by Communicate and Connect Counseling, your go-to resource for therapy designed specifically for military and veteran families. I'm your host, Dr. Elizabeth Polinsky, a dedicated military marriage counselor, and today we have an invaluable episode lined up for you. I am thrilled to be joined by Dr. Rev. Clyde Angel, a retired VA chaplain who has served as the chief chaplain and contributed significantly to the Warrior to Soulmate program for veterans. With a unique expertise in integrating spirituality with mental health care and his licensure as a professional counselor, Dr. Angel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion. In this episode, we'll be delving into some of the most common relationship problems that couples encounter. We'll explore the big three: communication, sex, and money, with a primary focus on communication—the bedrock of any healthy relationship. Dr. Angel will share profound insights on the importance of emotional openness and physical closeness in bonding, especially for veterans who have experienced trauma. We'll also discuss how unresolved childhood wounds and personal baggage impact adult relationships, turning into potential minefields that can cause conflict. Dr. Angel will shed light on the significant role forgiveness plays in relationships, busting the myth of "forgive and forget" and emphasizing the process of making peace with the past. Additionally, we'll address the unique challenges veterans face, like anger linked to PTSD and the deep-seated effects of moral and spiritual injury. Dr. Angel will provide actionable advice on distinguishing between managing and resolving anger by getting to the root emotions beneath it. He will also discuss the concept of self-forgiveness, often a monumental step towards personal healing. Both Dr. Rev. Angel and I will touch upon the transformative power of couples therapy, its effectiveness even through video sessions, and the importance of self-work in fostering intimacy and resolving relational issues. As always, I invite you to subscribe to our podcast and follow up with our free relationship email course designed to help you deepen your connection and improve communication with your partner. Join us for this rich, enlightening conversation as we aim to strengthen the fabric of your most important relationships.   Make sure to like, review, and subscribe to get all the future episodes and help the podcast be found by others who would benefit the most.  You can sign up for Elizabeth's FREE 10-week relationship email course here.  Read the show notes for this episode here.    Free Relationship Pattern Assessment Are you having the same conversation over and over? Many couples assume they have a communication problem when they're actually stuck in a relationship pattern that keeps creating the same conflict. Take the free Relationship Pattern Assessment to identify the pattern that may be keeping you disconnected and learn what to focus on next. 👉 https://pages.communicateandconnect.com/relationship-quiz