Resentment often grows quietly. Contempt makes it visible. Learn how these emotions develop, how they damage connection, and what couples…
Resentment often grows quietly. Contempt makes it visible. Learn how these emotions develop, how they damage connection, and what couples…
Have you ever noticed that you respond to conflict in ways that surprise even yourself? That you either pursue connection…
Every meaningful relationship involves a degree of emotional reliance. We turn to the people we love when life gets hard,…
Is anxiety affecting your relationship? Learn how overthinking, reassurance-seeking, fear of rejection, and emotional flooding can create distance between partners—and…
There is a particular kind of relationship dynamic that looks from the outside like devotion, and feels from the inside…
Skepticism about online counseling is understandable. Therapy has long been associated with a particular setting: a quiet office, a comfortable…
Dating apps can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You swipe, match, message, get disappointed, start over—and…
When we think about what makes relationships last, we often focus on big moments—weddings, anniversaries, major conflicts, or life transitions.…
Estrangement in Families and Marriages Estrangement in Families and Marriages The word “estranged” is often associated with dramatic family fallouts—years…
The term “gaslighting” has entered mainstream conversation in recent years, but it is still widely misunderstood. Many people associate it…
When most people hear the words “premarital counseling,” they picture a cautionary exercise: a way to stress-test a relationship before…
Emotional manipulation can be difficult to recognize when you’re in a relationship. While it can become toxic and emotionally abusive,…
Relationships are complex, and even the strongest partnerships go through seasons of disconnect, misunderstanding, and pain. Seeking help is one…
There is a quiet but damaging myth at the heart of how many people think about relationships: that a truly…
The loud, grandiose narcissist is easy to picture. The covert kind is not. Covert narcissist traits tend to hide behind…
One of the most difficult emotions to deal with in couples therapy is contempt. Feelings of superiority, self-righteousness, and a…
There comes a time in many long-term relationships when couples pause and realize something has quietly shifted. They’re still sharing…
The end of a marriage is rarely a single moment. It’s a long unraveling: of shared identity, daily routine, financial…
Not all couples therapy is created equal. Some approaches are largely intuitive, shaped by a therapist’s personal style and experience.…
“Giulio, did you take your sister’s cookie?” I watch as the look on the two pint-sized faces cycles from affront…
Where the “Too Needy” Label Comes From “Too needy” is one of the most common—and damaging—labels in relationships. It’s often…
When conflict in a relationship starts to feel like a loop you can’t escape — the same arguments, the same…
Therapy has never been more accessible, but that accessibility comes with major caveats. With AI-powered mental health tools multiplying rapidly,…
Anxiety among people in the United States is at an all time high. According to the National Institute of Mental…
If you feel like the honeymoon phase is over, you can bring back the magic. “We used to be intimate…
In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to assume that your partner knows how you feel. You’re together, after…
Swipe right. Match. Message. Unmatch. Repeat. For millions of singles today, this is the rhythm of modern romance. Dating apps…
What Therapists Should Stop Ignoring About Friendship Friendship is often the most influential — and most overlooked — attachment bond…
In many relationships, physical intimacy and emotional intimacy are deeply intertwined. While they are distinct experiences, each one influences and…
Attachment styles shape how we connect, communicate, and experience intimacy in our relationships. If you grew up with inconsistent caregiving,…
Anxiety in Relationships Anxiety often shows up as hyper-vigilance and fear of disconnection. Common patterns Impact on the relationship Core…
Most couples don’t fight because they’re incompatible—they fight because emotions escalate faster than either partner can manage them. When strong…
Mental health care should feel supportive, not stressful. For many individuals and families, financial concerns can become a barrier to…
Conflict about finances is a major relationship stressor for many couples. In fact, money is one of the most common…
In many relationships, disconnection doesn’t begin with a dramatic argument or a sudden breakup. Instead, it often starts quietly. More…
We all know that forgiveness is good for the soul. It frees us from the bitterness and anger that accompany…
As a new year begins, many people set resolutions focused on self-improvement—better habits, clearer goals, or renewed motivation. When viewed…
Depression can make even the smallest tasks feel overwhelming. While therapy plays an essential role in treating depression, daily habits…
In a world filled with constant notifications, competing demands, and mental overload, maintaining focus can feel nearly impossible. Many people…
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, whether it manifests during busy workdays, social commitments, or even quiet moments at home. It can…
Preparing for marriage is an exciting time filled with dreams, plans, and possibilities, but it can also provoke important questions…
You change. Your body changes. So does your partner’s. And a good thing, too. That initial I-can’t-get-enough-of-you and let’s-have-sex-immediately is…
When you were a helpless infant, you bonded with your mother or caregiver to ensure that you could survive. You…
The trauma of being unseen often lies at the root of both shame and codependency, quietly shaping how we relate…
When you’re locked in conflict, it’s tempting to throw away the key. After all, your partner refuses to compromise, and…
In The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. John Gottman’s research found that 69% of problems in a relationship are…
When two people have been in a committed relationship for a long time, a certain sense of familiarity develops. If…
Your dating difficulties are not caused by something about you that’s permanently flawed. If you’ve experienced trauma, being vulnerable in…
If you are in a long and lasting relationship, chances are, the cornerstone of it is commitment. Maybe when you…
Relationships bring out the best and the worst in us. Some challenges are opportunities to grow together, while others signal…
There’s a lot to be said for being in control. You feel confident and secure when you’re in charge. You…
Every couple has a different path and a unique relationship. But most couples have a similar goal, and that is…
While conflict is inevitable, frequent arguments will affect a relationship over time. Couples that do not effectively manage conflict will…
It’s so easy to acquire bad habits, but not so easy to break them. After all, they’re habits, something you…
When I meet with a new couple, I always ask: How do you self-soothe during and outside ofconflict? While some report having…
You may not know its name, but you’ve probably experienced diffuse physiological arousal (DPA). It’s that feeling you get when…
Overcontrol, defined as excessive or maladaptive self control, can lead to significant problems in our relationships. People with overcontrolled traits…
The trouble with the term “narcissist” is that it is used liberally, when a very small percentage of the population…
As a therapist, as well as someone who goes to therapy, I can speak firsthand about the importance of attending…
Multiple studies have been conducted exploring the idea that two people can develop a close relationship by sharing their most…
The trauma of being unseen often lies at the root of both shame and codependency, quietly shaping how we relate…
Sex is often the cornerstone of a good relationship. Sure, it’s possible to have a wonderful relationship without it, but…
Understanding “Bids” in Relationships Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship researcher, introduced the concept of bids — small, everyday attempts…
The Trifecta of Tortured Relationships: Why You Feel So Alone Together When couples first come together, it feels like magic.…
A friend told me that every time her husband touches her arm with affection, which is every morning as they…
What ADHD Is in a Relationship Context ADHD isn’t just about distractibility or hyperactivity. It’s a neurological difference that affects:…
Ah, going even deeper — I love it.When it comes to relationships, the difference between rumination and reflection becomes even…
In the rush of a new relationship, you stay up all night talking. You can’t stop thinking about him. And…
That’s a really important contrast to look at — gaslighting vs. respect in relationships — because they sit on totally…
Remember that great line from the movie, Jerry McGuire? The title character tells his girl, “You complete me”. Such a…
Jealousy in relationships is a natural emotional response, often rooted in fear, insecurity, or attachment dynamics. Understanding why we feel…
When you first met your partner, you couldn’t get enough of him. Your thoughts were often invaded by visions of…
Trust in a Relationship Looks Like: Honesty – Being open, truthful, and transparent with each other. Reliability – Following through…
If you have trouble showing compassion, maybe you feel you have enough problems of your own and simply don’t have…
Both silent treatment and stonewalling involve refusing to communicate, but they have different intentions and effects. Silent Treatment A passive-aggressive…
Enjoying the closeness of someone who understands you completely—who knows how you feel and is always on your side—is the…
Jenny wasn’t going to go to her high school reunion. She wasn’t one to relive past glories, even if she…
Conflict about finances is a major relationship stressor for many couples. In fact, money is one of the most common…
When you get married and make a life-long commitment to your partner, you dream of a future together. Seldom do…
In The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, Dr. John Gottman’s research found that 69% of problems in a relationship are…
Familiarity in a long-term relationship can go one of two ways–you can feel worn down, lose the romance, and end…
All couples fight, but not every couple knows how to do it in a healthy way. Further, in the heat…
The bride of my youth is delighted that I’m writing about defensiveness. She’s been chuckling under her breath at me…
We all know that forgiveness is good for the soul. It frees us from the bitterness and anger that accompany…
It’s the holiday season and while that’s often a happy thing, it’s also a stressful time. There’s so much to…
The “Four Horsemen” of relationship communication, identified by psychologist John Gottman, are patterns that can lead to conflict and disconnection.…
So, you’re at the ballgame. You’re jostling popcorn and a couple of fully-loaded hot dogs that you’re passing to your…
Holidays often bring joy and celebration, but they can also come with challenges, particularly around family dynamics and communication. Here…
I have a friend whose father, in a fit of disdain, said to her, “You’re so emotional.” It was not…
Stand up for yourself. We all know people who do not need this advice. They are more than capable of…
One of the most common of the Four Horsemen is criticism. The Four Horsemen are what Dr. John Gottman calls the dynamics…
When two people have been in a committed relationship for a long time, a certain sense of familiarity develops. If…
Have you ever noticed that people who are really good at their endeavors have a full vocabulary to describe it?…
If you are overly, inappropriately, involved in someone else’s personal life, you are enmeshed. Often, this happens between parents and…
A sexless marriage can be a challenging and isolating experience, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone—many couples…
In the classic musical, My Fair Lady, a confirmed bachelor laments, why can’t a woman be more like a man?…
The difference between love and love bombing can be subtle at first but becomes more apparent with time and self-awareness.…
If you’re a people pleaser, you know who you are. Always trying to make other people happy. Never ruffling anyone’s…
Stonewalling and gaslighting are both harmful behaviors often seen in interpersonal conflicts, but they are different in their methods and…
Making love is an integral part of a great relationship. Sure, there are exceptions, but sex is often underrated as…