Is Christmas your calm or your chaos? Kate Mason welcomes returning couple therapists Helen and Shahn to unpack why the festive season so often becomes a pressure cooker and how couples can reclaim it with clarity and compassion. They share their own blended-family reset, choosing Christmas morning at home to create sleep, sanity, and new traditions.From end-of-year exhaustion to old family roles that snap back under one roof, they explain how reactivity takes over and how to stay “untangled” by planning ahead, agreeing on boundaries, and responding by values. You will hear practical scripts like saying “ouch, that is sharp,” advice for united communication with parents and in laws, and survival tips that include pre warning, lightening the alcohol, and offering grace when family of origin ghosts appear. The result is a toolkit for couples who want a kinder, more intentional holiday season.Listen For3:00 How do you create new Christmas traditions when old ones no longer work?7:28 Why does Christmas bring back old family roles and tension?11:00 What should you do if you're stuck with a toxic relative during dinner?23:42 How can couples set boundaries with their families around Christmas?30:13 What are the best survival strategies for a smoother festive season? Leave a rating/review for this podcast with one click   Connect with guests: Shahn Baker Sorekli, Director | Author | App Founder | Clinical Psychologist | Couples Therapist | Board Approved SupervisorShahn's LinkedIn Helen Robertson, Director | Clinical Psychologist | Author | Advanced Certified Schema Therapist | Schema Certified Supervisor | Board Approved SupervisorHelen's LinkedIn  The 8 Love Links Book | Website | Instagram |TikTok |Tiktok  Contact Kate: Email | Website | Kate’s Book on Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | X 

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