Lessons From Gwyneth and Chris on Emotional Vulnerability: Shape Magazine
In the wake of Chris Martin's recent comments that he was to blame for the breakup with Gwyneth Paltrow, I was invited to share my thoughts on the importance of sharing emotional vulnerability with your partner.
“Even if he can’t do anything to fix the situation, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth discussing,” says Julie Hanks, a couples therapist and executive director of Wasatch Family Therapy in Salt Lake City. “We all need to be comforted when we’re emotionally distressed, upset, or burdened.”
If you’re struggling with opening up, experts agree that seeking help from a therapist or counselor—either on your own or with each other—can teach you how to share the vulnerable sides of yourselves. “People often emotionally hold back in a relationship to protect themselves from being hurt, and this pattern can be tough to break on your own,” says Hanks. A third voice, in the form of a therapist, can help you troubleshoot your tough spots and emerge even stronger on the other side.