Calm Tree Therapy

03/13/2026

Quick Tips for Managing Anger

A few practical tools:
- Slow your breathing before responding
- Move your body— exercising or walking helps release anger in the body
- Address issues early, not after they pile up

Anger management isn’t suppressing the emotion — it’s self regulation and learning to address the internal and external factors that are impacting anger

Try one tool this week and notice the difference.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/10/2026

Is Anger a Secondary Emotion? Sometimes.

Anger isn’t always a secondary emotion.

Sometimes it’s primary—especially when:
- Boundaries are crossed
- Injustice occurs
- Protection is needed

Other times, anger covers:
- Fear
- Shame
- Hurt
- Grief or sadness
- Helplessness

The key question isn’t “Is anger wrong?”
It’s “What is this anger responding to?”

Get curious instead of critical about your anger.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

03/06/2026

Anger vs Stress vs Burnout

These often get confused—but they’re different.

Stress: Tension, irritability, feeling “on edge”

Anger: A response to perceived injustice, threat, or boundary violations

Burnout: Emotional numbness, detachment, loss of motivation

Many men feel angry when they’re actually burned out.

Knowing the difference matters—because each needs a different solution.

Ask yourself: Am I angry—or am I exhausted, or overextended?

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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03/03/2026

Anger Isn’t Bad—But It Has a Place

Men are often taught that anger is “bad” or something to suppress.

That’s not true.

Anger is a protective emotion. It signals that something matters, a boundary was crossed, or something feels unfair.

But if anger is constant or explosive, it’s often covering:
- Chronic stress
- Burnout
- Exhaustion
- Unmet needs

Anger is helpful in the right place. Constant anger is a sign something needs to change, either in you or your life.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

Follow us on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn

Encounter compassionate, evidence-based care. We specialize in EMDR for PTSD and C-PTSD, and Gottman Couples Therapy for relationship distress.

02/27/2026

Positive vs Negative Sentiment Override in Relationships

Positive Sentiment Override (PSO):
You give your partner the benefit of the doubt—even during conflict.
Generally you think fondly of them and respect or admire them.

Negative Sentiment Override (NSO):
Neutral or even positive actions feel irritating, dismissive, or unsafe.

NSO isn’t failure—it’s often a sign support is needed.

If resentment feels louder than love, couples therapy can help reset the tone.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/24/2026

Intimate Conversation Matters in a Relationship

Quality conversation is important—but stress and busy schedules often crowd it out.

I have an article with 100 Date Night Conversation Starters to help couples reconnect without pressure

(Here’s the link: https://calmtreetherapy.com/date-night-conversation-starters-100-open-ended-questions-to-deepen-connection/ ).

It’s our gift to you.

Save this post and try a few questions on your next date night at home.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/20/2026

Gottman's Bids to Connect

A bid is any small attempt to connect:
A comment. A touch. A question. A look.

When bids are accepted, friendship grows and romance stays alive because couples feel emotionally connected to one another.

When bids are ignored or rejected, resentment builds.

Happy couples respond to about 4 out of 5 bids.
Notice your partner’s bids today—and choose to respond.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/17/2026

Compromise Isn’t 50/50 in a relationship

Healthy couples don’t mean agreeing on everything.

They ask better questions: “How do I meet your core need here?”

Compromise only works when both partners keep doing it over time.

That ongoing effort is what keeps the relationship alive

Next disagreement—pause and look for the need underneath the position.

Colin Priest, Therapist & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415
📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com
🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/13/2026

Love doesn’t disappear overnight.

It usually fades when emotional needs go unmet for too long.

Connection grows when partners feel:
- Seen
- Valued
- Emotionally safe

Needs aren’t demands—they’re information.

Ask your partner tonight: “Is there something I can do to help you feel more supported or loved?”

Life gets busy, it's okay to take time to reconnect as a couple.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415 | 📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com| 🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/10/2026

Small Acts of Kindness Challenge

Think of a fond memory you have of your partner.

Now share it with them today—by text or in person.

Tell them why that moment still matters to you.

Fondness is fuel for long-term love.

Share one memory today and watch how it reconnects you.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415 | 📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com | 🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/06/2026

Book Review: His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley Jr.

One reason I love His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley is how practical it is.

It gives couples language for needs they often feel but struggle to explain.

You’re not guessing anymore—you’re clarifying.

Try this:
Use the Emotional Needs Questionnaire as a date night at home. (Here’s the link: https://www.marriagebuilders.com/emotional-needs-questionnaire.htm)

Make space to ask, “What helps you feel loved right now?”

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415 | 📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com |🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com

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02/03/2026

Gottman’s 5:1 Gold Ratio

Healthy couples tend to have about 5 positive interactions for every 1 negative one.

That doesn’t mean they never argue—it means positives consistently outweigh the tension.

Here’s a tip:
Leave a Post-it note with a kind message somewhere your partner will unexpectedly find it today. In their car, on the mirror, in their wallet or purse.

Small moments count more than grand gestures.

Try one intentional positive today and notice how it shifts the tone.

Colin Priest, Therapist, Public Speaker, & Coach
Calm Tree Therapy
📞 515-257-6415 | 📧 calmtreetherapy@gmail.com | 🌐 www.calmtreetherapy.com |Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn