Why In-Law Visits Can Break the Couple Bond and How to Stay a Team

In this From The Couch episode, clinical psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish unpacks a painful but common experience many couples face in in law relationships: The moment when a partner seems to disappear emotionally after stepping into their family of origin, leaving the other partner feeling alone, unprotected, or disconnected. Dr. Tracy explains why this shift happens, drawing on family roles, nervous system responses, and inner child patterns that resurface in familiar environments. She clarifies why this is not about choosing parents over a partner, but about old survival strategies taking over without awareness. The real wound, she explains, is not just in law behavior, but the loss of the couple bond in these moments. This episode reframes the goal from setting perfect boundaries to learning how to stay connected as a team. Listeners will hear practical questions and small, grounding strategies couples can use to protect their relationship while navigating difficult family dynamics. IN THIS EPISODE: Get immediate support for your relationship: Join Be Connected Discover your relationship negative cycle with my free quiz:⁠ ⁠⁠Take it here⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCES: Order my new book! You, Your Husband, and His Mother Want your questions answered on the show? ⁠⁠Submit them here!⁠⁠     Ready to deepen your connection? ⁠⁠Download my 100 Questions⁠⁠ Build better connection and feel close starting today. Join the ⁠⁠30 Days to Us Challenge⁠⁠ LINKS: HelloFresh:⁠ Get 10 Free Meals ⁠hellofresh.com/TRACY10FM⁠ ⁠NativePath:⁠ Special Bundle deal at ⁠getnativepath.com/Tracy⁠ Rula: Get the support you need with ⁠rula.com/Tracy KiwiCo: Save 50% off with code TRACY KiwiCo.Com ⁠Vionic Shoes⁠: Use code TRACY for 15% off at https://www.vionicshoes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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