You’ve got the perfect date planned, ending with dinner at a nice restaurant on the water. The weather is perfect, the food is good, but you got into a small argument with your partner on the drive over, and now they won’t talk to you. You try to broach the subject, but they’re stubbornly refusing to look at you, much less engage in the conversation.
If this sounds familiar, you’ve likely experienced stonewalling. Stonewalling is a maladaptive coping mechanism that someone uses to shut down a conversation they’re uncomfortable with by refusing to engage with you. It’s similar to a silent treatment or the cold shoulder.
Stonewalling can stem from trauma, modeled behavior, overwhelming stress, or manipulation tactics. If your relationship struggles with stonewalling, talk to a Toms River couples therapist to find a solution that works for you.
Heal your relationship with the help of one of our licensed couples therapists in Toms River.
-(1).jpg)
LCSW
Gina is a licensed clinical social worker with an MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work. Her practice fosters the idea that all individuals have the ability to heal the self through res...
-(1).jpg)
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Meredith Wymer is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner providing medication management across the lifespan. In addition to her current work in the outpatient mental health se...
LCSW
Andrew has been a therapist for nearly two decades, specializing in family counseling and individual counseling across all ages. After graduating from New York University in 2008, he began his clini...
LCSW
You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Aimee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience helping adults find calm, clarity, and confidence through times of stre...
Supervisee in Social Work
I am a Licensed Social Worker and I have been in the mental heath field for the past 9 years working with a variety of client populations, including children, adolescents, and adults, all within the ...
Resident in Counseling
Hi! I’m Cierra Edwards, a Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) in New Jersey with four years of experience in the behavioral and mental health field. I specialize in working with young adults naviga...
Sometimes. Stonewalling is usually not done on purpose. It is an automatic trauma or stress response. In these cases, stonewalling is not toxic, but it is maladaptive and can cause relationship issues if not addressed.
Talk to a Toms River couples therapist if stonewalling is a consistent issue. If you are being stonewalled, it’s best to take a step back. “I noticed you look overwhelmed. Let’s take a few minutes and come back to this.” When you come back, approach the conversation calmly and with empathy. Don’t make accusations. Try to come to a mutual understanding.
Emotional intimacy is the closeness and safety you feel with your partner. Emotional intimacy means being able to be vulnerable and your true self around them. It is a vital part of any healthy relationship, as important as, if not more important than, physical intimacy.
Stonewalling can deteriorate emotional intimacy. It’s hard to be vulnerable with someone who shuts down whenever there is conflict. The first step to rebuilding emotional intimacy is seeking couples counseling.
We've created a safe space for you to explore your mental health and find what works for you.
Find A Counselor
Check Your Insurance
Book Your Online/In-person Therapy Session
Scheduling is easy! Simply choose a therapist from our extensive therapist directory. Fill out the quick form, and we’ll get in touch to confirm your appointment.
If you don’t feel like choosing a therapist, give us a call, and we’ll match you with an Ocean County therapist that fits your needs.
Lifebulb Counseling & Therapy adheres to all HIPAA policies. This means your personal information will be protected throughout every step of the process: from requesting a session, to your first appointment, all the way to when you decide to stop therapy.
Lifebulb was built on the core belief that good therapists provide good therapy, and that in order for a therapist to be good, they need to feel supported. We prioritize our therapists’ wellness so that they can give you their full attention. No burnout, no counting the minutes till the end of the session, no racing to meet quotas, no wasting time wrestling with insurance panels.
The result? More time, more energy, and more joy they get to put towards what they do best: helping you!
Online anxiety therapy sessions use HIPAA-compliant video software that is 100% secure. We never record sessions and will never ask you to jump on a video call that is not HIPAA compliant. Our therapists also always take video sessions from a private and secure place. There’s no risk of anyone overhearing you.
Yes! Lifebulb prides itself on being HIPAA compliant and making client privacy a top priority. Have questions or concerns about our privacy policy? You can email us at privacy@lifebulb.com
