Sometimes a partner goes quiet because they're overwhelmed and trying to find their footing in the conversation. Other times, silence is a strategy, a way to make a spouse squirm and bend until the relationship settles back into its old, immature rhythm. There's a real difference between going quiet in conflict and the silent treatment, and knowing which one you're up against changes how you respond. In this episode, Dr. Finlayson-Fife uses listener questions to unpack the difference between disengaging to self-regulate and using silence to punish, and what it looks like to stay grounded and invested when a spouse disengages. **SAVE $200 on the Strengthening Your Relationship Retreat in Lehi, UT!**