Ali Miller Therapy

12/23/2025

Self-awareness is the key to personal growth, but without self-compassion, it can easily turn into self-criticism.

In this episode of Love Each Other Better, I talk with Cheri Krause — counselor, NVC teacher, and my friend of nearly 20 years — about what self-compassion really is and practical ways to practice it, especially when life feels stressful.

We cover:

Moving from self-abandonment to self-accompaniment

Strengthening relationships through self-compassion

Staying connected to yourself, even in tough moments

🎧 Listen now at the link in comments.

💛 “You yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection.” (attributed to the Buddha, but who knows)

11/18/2025

I had the honor of being a guest teacher for a grad school couples therapy class at my alma mater, CIIS, today.

I was asked to provide a bio, and as I wrote this up I got to reflect on how far I’ve come since I was a student there many years ago:

Bio: Ali Miller graduated from CIIS in the Integral Counseling Psychology program in 2003. She became licensed as a Marriage & Family Therapist in 2006 and has been in private practice since 2007. In 2006 she discovered Nonviolent Communication and has been deeply immersed in both practicing it in her own life and sharing it with others ever since. In addition to integrating NVC into her work with therapy clients, she leads NVC-Based Coaching Programs for Couples online (private and group) and she also teaches NVC to therapists both privately and as a guest trainer like today. She has given “NVC in the Therapeutic Setting” trainings all over the Bay Area, including for East Bay CAMFT and Bay Area Gestalt Institute. She hosts the Love Each Other Better podcast, which is focused on how NVC can help couples thrive. This is her first time returning to CIIS to share this work and she’s thrilled to be here.

07/15/2025

07/10/2025

06/26/2025

05/18/2025

We all experience moments of hurt, frustration, or disappointment in relationship—but how do we address them without making things worse?

How can you talk about the things that bother you in a way that doesn’t escalate the conflict or further damage the connection?

In episode 28 of the Love Each Other Better podcast, we’ll explore the critical difference between intent and impact and why both matter. Most of the time, your partner is probably not trying to hurt you—they’re trying to meet a need. But when the impact of their actions does hurt, that still really matters.

When you can talk about both the intent behind their actions AND the impact it had on you, you open up the possibility of not only deepening your understanding and strengthening your bond, but also finding solutions to the challenges in your relationship that genuinely work for both of you.

Tune in to episode 28 for actionable advice that will help you approach those painful moments with clarity, curiosity, and the tools you need to build a stronger + realer relationship, together.

Your love story isn’t broken—it’s just waiting for a deeper, more compassionate conversation. 💗