Jamie C. Williamson Phd | Amity Mediation Workshop, LLC

How Do Love Relationships Make You Happy and Healthy? Takes More Liking Than Loving

By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Loving relationships are essential for human well-being and happiness at all ages. In fact, the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives. According to Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period”. A variety of social connections

How to Date Your Spouse: 6 Tips for Successful Date Nights

By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Most couples know they are supposed to have a regular “Date Night”. Unfortunately, along the way, they let familiar routines and their life partner/parenting roles overshadow their ongoing need for novel activities and their role as romantic partners. They just can’t seem to have a night out that doesn’t involve

Make SMART Relationship Goals Not New Year’s Resolutions

Relationship-based resolutions will likely fail by February. Create SMART relationship goals instead.

Happy Couples Have Attitude of Gratitude

Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Couples who mutually express gratitude to each other enhance intimacy and bolster their levels of relationship satisfaction.

These 3 R’s Let Your Happy Relationship Bloom Naturally

Spring reminds us to refresh, renew, and improve our relationships. These 3 R's guide the relationship improvement process.

Money Can’t Buy Love, But the Right Gift Can

by Jamie C. Williamson, PhD ‘tis the season. But how do you know the right gift to give your partner? Most gift givers assume that a more expensive present will be more appreciated, yet, receivers don’t appreciate expensive gifts more than other less expensive gifts. And, that goes for gifts of clothes, wine, home

4 Easy Steps to Coping with Perpetual Marital Conflict

By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Most marital conflict is unsolvable. In fact, according to renowned relationship researcher John Gottman, 69% of marital conflicts are perpetual problems that couples will never resolve. Only 31% of the problems in marriage are solvable. This is true for both happy couples and unhappy couples. So, it is not the

This 1 Simple Act Primes Your Marriage for Romance

By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD The secret to long-lasting romance in marriage is simple, inexpensive, and fool proof. You’ve probably figured out that it isn’t a candlelit dinner on your anniversary or the obligatory sex that followed. And, unless you learn this one simple secret it won’t be your long-anticipated romantic get-away either. Events designed

3 Reasons Couples Who Play Together, Stay Together

by Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Married couples who play together, stay together. But that doesn’t mean you should treat your marriage like a game. If you treat your marriage like a game, you’ll get played and lose every time. What this does mean is that couples who “play together” by engaging in fun, novel

Is A “Friendly” Divorce Without Lawyers Right for You?

A divorce without lawyers could be right for you if you want to remain friendly and avoid a long, expensive court battle as create agreements that serve your unique situation and goals.

Secret to Romance in Marriage Will Surprise You

By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD The secret to long-lasting romance in marriage is surprisingly simple, inexpensive, and fool proof. It isn’t a “romantic” candlelit dinner on Valentine’s Day. And, unless you learn this simple secret and get primed for romance soon, it won’t be your Spring Break get-away to the beach (or the mountains), either.

Four Warning Signs on the Road to Divorce

by Jamie C. Williamson, PhD There are four signs that signal a progressive, downward relationship spiral leading to divorce. But, you can learn to recognize these cautionary signals and take a detour that will put you back on the path to a long, satisfying marriage. Which couple are you? This week I met two young

Beware the Calm Before the Stormy 7 Stages of Divorce

by Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Divorcing couples do move through predictable and understandable stages of divorce, each associated with different practical concerns, emotions, and typical behavior patterns. But, divorce initiation often begins with a seemingly calm, barely detectable phase. You have to pay close attention or it will catch you by surprise. Most explanations

In “Work it Out”, Dr. Jamie C. Williamson draws on theory, research and 25+ years of professional university leadership and teaching, consulting, counseling, and mediation experience to provide insights and practical guidance to women and men who want to work out their issues, “de-stress” their marriage, and restore the amity and joy they once had.

Of course, some relationships fail, no matter how hard we try to repair them. This blog also will help divorcing couples “work it out” so they can remain friendly with their former spouse and resolve their divorce settlement issues in a way that serves the on-going needs of all involved, especially the children.