Posts by Admin User
Me vs. Us: Balancing the Need for Self-Care in a Relationship
Couple therapists talk a lot about the importance of creating quality time for your relationship. What often gets less attention is the equally high value of establishing time for yourself. There is great variability in the balance of independence within romantic relationships. Partners will not always share the same preferred dose of dependency, and it…
Read MoreSeven Potentially Deadly Symptoms in Intimate Relationships
People fall into patterns fast because habits feel familiar and easy. An ability to function on autopilot helps with daily life, yet intimate relationships thrive when both partners stay attentive. You have a chance to build healthy patterns when you stay aware of relationship warning signs that may develop slowly over time. A mindful approach…
Read MoreDon’t Underestimate the Power of the Therapeutic Alliance
“How do I find a therapist?” “What makes him/her good?” “What should I research about them?” “What’s the most important thing to know about finding a therapist?” “How will I know if this therapist can help me or not?” As a mental health therapist, I am often asked questions like these from friends, family, colleagues,…
Read More“Don’t Tell Me to Calm Down!” How to Help Someone Who is Angry, Anxious, or Stressed
“Calm down.” “Just relax.” “Don’t worry about it.” “Stop stressing out.” “It will be fine.” “Don’t get so upset.” We have all probably been told these phrases, or something similar, by another person when we were angry, anxious, or stressed. We may even ourselves be guilty of saying them to another person. But did it…
Read MoreDon’t Say Yes When You Want to Say No
We all have times in our lives, sometimes more than we want, when we are asked to do something, give something, or help with something that we don’t want to but yet we say yes anyway. There are somethings we do or agree to because it will help someone, make them happy, or it is…
Read MoreThe Ugly Truth of Being in a Wedding
Wedding season is upon us once again. Many view weddings as a time to celebrate, honor one’s love and commitment to their partner, bring family and friends together, and be a happy time for all involved. But there is a dark side to weddings that is often not talked about or is ignored, and that…
Read MoreA Guide for Coping With Setbacks and Failures
Unexpected obstacles can interrupt momentum fast. A project stalls, a plan collapses, or progress slows at the worst possible moment. These experiences can feel jarring, yet coping with setbacks and failures can also spark meaningful growth. Moments that seem discouraging often reveal new direction, new insight, and new strength. Growth begins when you turn from…
Read MoreYou Don’t Need Therapy, But You May Need Help to Understand or Deal with Someone Who Does
“I can’t deal with my parents, I just don’t know how to talk to them, all we do is fight.” “I found out my girlfriend is using drugs and I want to help her.” “My son is not motivated or interested in anything, I don’t know what to do.” “My partner is spending way too…
Read MoreFour Tips for Managing Technology Interference in Your Relationship
Smartphones buzz during dinner. Streaming shows keep us awake longer than we planned. Work emails sneak into late evenings. Technology has a powerful way of blending into every part of life. Without realizing it, we sometimes allow it to steal time from the people who matter most. Relationships work on attention, respect, and shared experiences.…
Read MoreSelf-Worth vs. Net-Worth, They’re Not the Same Thing
According to Wikipedia, “In sociology and psychology, self-esteem reflects a person’s overall subjective emotional evaluation of his or her own worth” and per dicitionary.com, self-worth is defined as “the sense of one’s own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.” In contrast, one’s net-worth is measured by the combination of what one owns (their…
Read More