Marizanne Naested Counselling & TRE

16/03/2026

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15/03/2026

When we keep telling our partner to be less — less loud, less excited, less expressive — we slowly teach them that parts of who they are aren’t welcome.

And that doesn’t just stay in everyday life… it often follows into the bedroom too. When someone feels they have to shrink themselves, their confidence, playfulness and desire tend to shrink with it.

Happier relationships make space for expression, not silence it. The goal isn’t a smaller partner — it’s a safer relationship where both people can show up fully.

If expression styles are clashing, there are ways to navigate it without diminishing each other.

www.lovecounsel.co.za

15/03/2026

13/03/2026

As the weather cools down in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s a good time to warm up your relationship. ❄️

The Love Maps concept from John Gottman and Julie Gottman ( ) reminds couples to stay curious about each other’s inner worlds.

Try asking your partner:
• What helps you feel most cared for and emotionally warm in our relationship right now?
• What small weekend or holiday ritual would you love for us to create this season?
• What’s been on your mind or heart lately that I might not fully know about?
Enjoy the discussion that follows.

Sometimes the most powerful relationship tool is simply asking… and listening. 💬

Check out www.lovecounsel.co.za for more on me.

13/03/2026

Valentine’s Day can bring love… but also pressure, expectations, and a lot of chocolate 🍫I see the fallout in my office.

Expectations can create unnecessary tension in relationships.

So here’s a different idea: treat yourself and take a little pressure off the relationship. A happy you often means a happier relationship.

I treated myself to some — delivery was fast and I love it.
(Not sponsored, just sharing the love.)


www.lovecounsel.co.za

12/03/2026

I have to do my own work of course. And self-care is always important when you hold space for others, whether it be your work or your family...
Thanks

11/03/2026

I invite you today to wake up your senses.

Notice the warmth of coffee, the softness of fabric, the smell of a flower, the wind on your skin.

When we slow down and become present to our senses, we move out of our busy minds and back into our bodies — where calm, beauty and connection already exist.

More on relationships, embodiment and connection through my practice. www.lovecounsel.co.za









Royalty-free music: “Dreamcatcher” by Onycs.

10/03/2026

Pain during intimacy is common — but it should never be expected or silently endured.

A study in the International Journal of Sexual Health (Pub Feb 2026) found that women report painful intimacy far more often than men. But what’s equally concerning? Men are much less likely to tell their partners when they experience pain — often because of pressure to live up to traditional gender roles.

Pain is information. Curiosity, communication, and slowing down can change the experience for everyone.

🔗 Read the study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/19317611.2025.2605125






www.lovecounsel.co.za

06/03/2026

Stop telling your partner what they’re doing wrong — and start getting curious.

Curiosity opens the door to understanding, while criticism often shuts it down. When we ask why, listen with interest, and try to understand each other’s experience, couples often find themselves growing closer instead of further apart.







For more information, contact me at www.lovecounsel.co.za

04/03/2026

March Must-Do List for Relationships

1️⃣ April/May/Winter brides & grooms – If you haven’t started premarital counselling yet, book it now. Even 2–3 sessions before the wedding can make a massive difference. You can always continue after the big day. has more tips.

2️⃣ Going away over Easter? If December brought tough conversations or unresolved conflict, don’t pack that tension in your suitcase. Do the conflict work in March so you can actually enjoy the break.

3️⃣ Regulate. Regulate. Regulate. The more grounded you are, the better you show up — in conversations with your partner and, if applicable, your children.

March is for preparation, not postponement. 🌼🫶🏼
Healthy relationships are intentional.

02/03/2026

Intimacy isn’t just physical. Emotional, intellectual, spiritual, experiential and more!… Cultivate a lekker balance while dating and in marriage. Try to develop as many layers as possible, understanding that some will be looked after in friendships.

www.lovecounsel.co.za

❤️

26/02/2026

🎧 Currently listening to the book Navigating Menopause After Cancer by Dani Bennington on — such essential insight! If you’re going through breast cancer, knowing about menopause can really empower your journey.

Need support with counselling or trauma release? I work in Linden, Johannesburg 🇿🇦 or online worldwide 🌍
👉 www.lovecounsel.co.za