Mankato Marriage Solutions

06/16/2026

🌟 Tips on Tuesday 🌟

Don't Let Logistics Replace Intimacy

Many couples talk all day long—but only about schedules, kids, work, and responsibilities.

"Can you pick up milk?"
"What time is soccer?"
"Don't forget the appointment."

That's communication, but it's not connection.

💡 This week's tip:
Spend 10 minutes asking your partner about their thoughts, feelings, hopes, or worries—not their to-do list.

Strong marriages aren't built solely through managing life together. They're built through knowing each other.

❤️ The goal isn't just to share a calendar. It's to share a life.

If you and your partner feel more like teammates managing logistics than a couple building connection, Mankato Marriage Solutions can help. Reach out today to learn how counseling can help you reconnect.

06/12/2026

We're proud to share the great work being done by our sister company, Midwest Mental Health Solutions!

🔥 Their Friday Flash Sale is happening now—save 50% off their on-demand webinar on the ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Health.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we provide and consume behavioral healthcare. Whether you're excited, skeptical, or simply curious, this training can help you stay ahead of the curve while earning 3 Ethics CEUs approved by all Minnesota behavioral health licensing boards.

Use code FRIDAY50 at checkout and save 50% through June 19.

Check it out here: technologyenhancedcare-recording.eventbrite.com

Technology won’t replace clinicians—but it will change the work. Learn how to stay effective, ethical, and human in tech-enhanced care.

06/09/2026

Tips on Tuesday

Thinking about divorce? Ask yourself this first.

When a marriage is struggling, it's easy to focus on the pain, frustration, or distance you're feeling right now. But before making a life-changing decision, consider this question:

Have we truly talked about the real problem?

Many couples spend years arguing about chores, finances, intimacy, or parenting without ever addressing what's happening underneath. Often, the deeper issues are feeling unheard, unappreciated, disconnected, or alone.

Before deciding whether your marriage can survive, make sure you've had the conversations that matter.

Strong relationships aren't built by avoiding difficult discussions—they're strengthened by working through them.

If you're questioning the future of your marriage, know that you don't have to figure it out alone. At Mankato Marriage Solutions, we help couples gain clarity, improve communication, and determine the healthiest path forward—whatever that may be.

Sometimes the strongest step isn't deciding what comes next. It's reaching out for support before making one of life's biggest decisions.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start the conversation.

06/05/2026

Just wrapped up with a few couples who have completed therapy and moved into the next chapter of their marriages. As a result, we currently have a few limited evening appointments available.

If you've been thinking about working on your marriage, improving communication, rebuilding trust, or simply strengthening your relationship, consider this your sign.

The hardest step is often the first one.

Reach out today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

06/02/2026

🌟 Tips on Tuesday 🌟

Assume Your Partner is Doing Their Best ❤️

When we're frustrated, it's easy to assume the worst:
"They don't care."
"They're being lazy."
"They should know better."

But what if you paused and considered a different possibility?

💡 This week's tip:
Before reacting, ask yourself: "What if my partner is doing the best they can with the stress, responsibilities, and challenges they're carrying right now?"

This doesn't mean ignoring problems or lowering expectations. It simply means approaching your partner with curiosity and compassion rather than criticism and assumptions.

Often, resentment grows when we assume bad intentions. Connection grows when we assume humanity.

Strong marriages aren't built on perfection. They're built on two imperfect people choosing grace, understanding, and teamwork—even on the difficult days.

If assumptions, frustration, or communication challenges are creating distance in your relationship, Mankato Marriage Solutions can help you rebuild understanding and strengthen your connection.

05/26/2026

🌟 Tips on Tuesday 🌟
The “How Was Your Day?” Trap

Most couples ask it. Most couples answer with:
“Fine.”
“Busy.”
“Tiring.”

And just like that, the conversation ends.

This week’s tip:
Try asking more intentional questions that invite connection instead of routine answers:

“What stressed you out today?”
“What was the best part of your day?”
“What’s something you wish went differently?”
“What’s been on your mind lately?”

Small shifts in conversation can create deeper emotional connection over time.

Strong marriages aren’t built only through big moments—they’re built through consistent, meaningful conversations.

And if communication has started feeling distant or surface-level, Mankato Marriage Solutions is here to help couples reconnect and strengthen their relationship.

05/24/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

We hope everyone has a safe and meaningful holiday weekend spent with family, friends, and loved ones.

Our office will reopen during normal business hours on Tuesday.

05/19/2026

We are proud to celebrate our founder and lead therapist, Thad Shunkwiler, LMFT, on being elected by his fellow board members to serve as Chairman of the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, beginning July 1st.

The Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy plays a vital role in protecting the public and advancing the profession by overseeing licensure standards, ethical practice, professional conduct, and continuing education for Marriage and Family Therapists across the state.

Being selected by his peers to lead the board is a reflection of his longstanding commitment to the profession, his collaborative leadership, and his dedication to strengthening the quality and integrity of mental health care in Minnesota.

At Mankato Marriage Solutions, we believe in showing up not only for the individuals, couples, and families in our community — but also for the profession itself. We are incredibly proud to have leadership that actively contributes to the growth, advocacy, and future of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Please join us in congratulating Thad on this well-deserved honor!

05/12/2026

Tips on Tuesday:

Having trouble sleeping in the same bed? You’re not alone.

One partner is freezing. The other is overheating. One loves heavy blankets, the other kicks them off by midnight. Sharing a bed can sometimes feel less romantic and more frustrating—and that’s actually very common.

Before jumping to a “sleep divorce,” try this simple tip:
Use separate blankets or duvets.

It may sound small, but giving each person control over their own comfort can improve sleep quality, reduce nighttime tension, and help both partners wake up less irritated. Better sleep often leads to better communication and connection.

Healthy relationships aren’t about doing everything the same—they’re about finding solutions that work for both people.

And if ongoing stress, routines, or disconnection are impacting your relationship, Mankato Marriage Solutions is here to help couples reconnect and work through life’s everyday challenges together.

05/05/2026

Tips on Tuesday

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚
It’s a great reminder that taking care of your mental health—and your relationship—matters. Life gets busy, stress builds, and it’s easy to put emotional well-being on the back burner.

This week’s tip:
Check in with your partner (and yourself).
Ask: “How are you really doing?”—and take the time to listen.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer each other is presence, understanding, and support.

If you or your relationship could use extra support, Mankato Marriage Solutions is here to help you reconnect, communicate, and move forward together.