Being in love feels wonderful. But what isn’t as wonderful is finding out that that feeling is being used to manipulate you for financial gain. That, unfortunately, is an all-too-common occurrence when it comes to meeting and getting to know a potential romance online. You’ve heard the stories about so-called catfishing, which involves online fraudsters…
Many women want to complain that a good man is hard to find, or that all the good ones are taken. But is that really true, or are women just too apt to overlook the “nice guy?” Dating and relationships are complicated. And for us guys it’s tough to figure out what it is that…
We live in an increasingly fragmented, digitally-focused world. That makes it challenging to forge real connections with your partner in the offline world. Other things can also get in the way of spending time with one another, too – kids, money worries, lack of time, or just feeling like you can’t think of anything to…
While there is no “right” thing you can say to someone who just lost a family member, friend, or significant other, there is general funeral etiquette that you should follow. Knowing the basics can help prevent an embarrassing mistake when emotions are already running high. DO: Dress More Conservatively Modesty reigns during a funeral. You…
In a world where social bonds are seen as a fundamental aspect of human life, the diminishing circle of close friends among adult men is becoming a subject of increasing concern. As a psychotherapist of 20 years specializing in men’s issues and relationships, my colleagues and I see this phenomenon firsthand. We’re worried. Research highlights…
This posting, which concerns a recent study out of UC Berkeley on the relationship between sleep and relationship conflict, notes the importance of cultivating good habits in self-care. It’s one of the most critical tools in maintaining healthy relationships. Here are a few of Dr. John Gottman’s tips for goal-setting and stress management. The following…
The holidays are always so stressful. Why is that? And what can be done to ease the great stresses generated by our holiday celebrations? I’m going to tell you. The design of every holiday season is about the planned re-emergence of hope. They try to get you to reconsider hope and give it another chance.…
That’s not the kind of gridlock I’m talking about. What I’m talking about is the emotional traffic jam that happens in a relationship which has all the same accompanying emotions and more – feeling stuck, frustrated, or powerless. The holiday season is as good a time as any to reconsider how to approach gridlocked problems…
I look at Janissa and Karla on my screen. Their mouths are tense, they avoid eye contact, and when I ask what is causing their distress they say “We ‘re dreading the holidays. We end up bickering at best and not speaking to each other at worst”. The other couples in the group nod in…
In counseling — and in life, in general! — we talk a lot about emotions. But have you ever considered why you engage with and process your emotions (or don’t) the way you do? Lately, in my practice, I have become increasingly aware of how important it is to understand our partner’s view of emotions.…
