We (Kim and Dennis) sat down recently with Michelle Puster, host of Compassionate Heart Parenting to talk about our Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy journey and how it freed us to become the parents our kids need.
Our mission: to give the ones we love all of us -and to help others do the same.
Listen to the full interview on your favorite platform
It’s never to late to repair…
Every family is shaped by the emotional connection between its parents. During Kim and Dennis’ conversation on Compassionate Heart Parenting, we explore how strengthening a marriage through EFT doesn’t just benefit a couple—it transforms parenting and creates a healthier emotional climate for the entire family.
Several important themes emerged in the conversation that drive our mission:
1. Healing marriage changes the climate for children
During a difficult season in our marriage, our children had learned to “duck and cover” because of the tension between us. As our relationship became more secure through Emotionally Focused Therapy, the atmosphere in our home changed. Our kids experienced greater safety, openness, and connection from us. The biggest gift we could give our kids was healthier relationship between us.
2. As we reconnect, we parent differently
A key insight from the conversation is that parenting problems are often relationship problems in disguise. As we became emotionally responsive and available to one another, we had more capacity to respond more openly to our children. The transformation isn’t simply learning better parenting techniques; it’s becoming free to apply the parenting techniques we know.
3. It’s never too late to change a family legacy
Perhaps the most hope-filled message is that repair is possible regardless of a child’s age. Kim and our youngest both doubted it was possible to have a meaningful mother-child relationship. Our family story became evidence that secure attachment can be rebuilt. Whether children are young, teenagers, or adults, genuine emotional repair can reshape family relationships for generations.
When our marriage became a secure base, we become free to give the ones we love all of ourselves and create a home where every family member feels safe, seen, connected, and appreciated.
