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Why We Ignore Our Intuition and How to Overcome Self-Doubt
“Why didn’t I just listen to myself—I knew what I needed to do all along and I ignored it!” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Trusting our gut is tricky business, and ... Read More
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Breaking the Silence: 5 Ways to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence
June is recognized as National PTSD Awareness Month. One of the populations most at risk for developing posttraumatic stress are survivors of sexual assault. In fact, sexual assault is ... Read More
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The ‘Four Cs’ of Relationship Conflict That May Predict Divorce
Marriage symbolizes the beginning of a (hopefully) lifelong commitment, so it makes sense couples tend to spend a lot of time and energy preparing for this milestone. Yet, while many engaged ... Read More
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Child or Weapon? The Psychological Dynamics of Parental Alienation
Parental alienation syndrome (PAS), a term coined by Richard A. Gardner in the 1980s, describes a condition—usually generated in the context of divorce or child custody disputes—in ... Read More
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Unhealthy Friendships in Adolescence: How to Know When to Let Go
Making and maintaining quality friendships is hard, especially during middle and high school. Although many adolescents long to develop lifelong friends who will be loyal, trustworthy, ... Read More
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Apologizing with Intention: 4 Reasons Your Apology Didn’t Work
Recently, I sat in session with a married couple named Dara and Mike. Speaking to one of the issues that brought them to therapy, Dara said, “Every time I tell him I don’t feel like ... Read More
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Narcissistic Needs and Self-Esteem: Why Narcissism Isn’t All Bad
“You’re such a narcissist!” If you’ve ever caught yourself saying that to someone you love, you know it’s never a compliment. “Narcissist” can be an all-purpose put-down that ... Read More
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Sex and Playfulness: Remaining Connected in Monogamous Relationships
How can a committed couple in a monogamous relationship have an active and fulfilling sex life? This topic comes up regularly with people I see in treatment. Couples in my office practice ... Read More
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The Vicious Cycle of Posttraumatic Stress: 4 Cornerstones of PTSD
Although posttraumatic stress (PTSD) tends to be the issue that most often comes to mind when we consider trauma, there are a number of other responses, including depression, anxiety, substance ... Read More
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Psychotherapy for Your Body: The Role of Somatic Psychology Today
A racing heart and a roiling stomach. Panic attacks, nightmares, or fatigue. The body has myriad ways to manifest the many faces of trauma and fear. And for many people, getting help to ... Read More
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Alcohol and Trauma: Drinking as a Way to Cope with the Past
Did you know one of the main predictors for having a substance use disorder is experiencing trauma? A quick internet search yields many definitions of trauma. I think the simplest definition ... Read More
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4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Couples Therapy
What makes couples therapy successful? I’ve see couples move from relationship nightmare to healthy and happy within six months of counseling. In many cases, by the time the couple ends ... Read More