Life can sometimes feel like a never-ending cycle of routine, responsibilities, and emotional challenges. When we become so consumed by our roles—be it as a parent, partner, or professional—we may lose touch with the parts of ourselves that once brought us joy and fulfillment. This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, dissatisfaction, and a sense […]
Continue readingStuck in the Cycle of Marital Conflict? Here’s How to Break Free and Find Peace
Marriage is one of life’s most fulfilling and challenging commitments. When things are going well, it can feel like the ultimate partnership, a safe haven where both partners grow and thrive. But when conflicts arise, especially those that seem to repeat themselves over and over, marriage can start to feel like a never-ending cycle of […]
Continue readingThe Push-Pull Dynamic: How Childhood Trauma Affects Adult Relationships
Have you ever found yourself caught in a whirlwind of emotions, constantly moving closer to—and then pulling away from—your partner? If this pattern feels all too familiar, you might be experiencing what’s known as the push-pull dynamic, a complex dance many adults unknowingly engage in. Rooted in unresolved childhood trauma, this dynamic can be […]
Continue readingThe Impact of Unmet Expectations on Marriage: Strategies for Building Trust and Reliability
Marriage is built on shared dreams, responsibilities, and mutual trust. However, when expectations go unmet, it can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a gradual erosion of that trust. Often, these unmet expectations aren’t about grand gestures or life-altering decisions but the small, everyday actions that, when consistently overlooked, can create significant rifts in the relationship. […]
Continue readingThe Healing Power of Touch: Strengthening Relationships and Boosting Mental Health
In a world that often moves too fast, where digital pings outnumber real moments of presence, the simple act of touch can feel like a lost language. But your body still remembers. The nervous system doesn’t forget what it’s like to be held, to be comforted, to feel safe in another person’s presence. Non-sexual touch—like […]
Continue readingThe Impact of Unmet Expectations on Marriage: Strategies for Building Trust and Reliability
Marriage is built on shared dreams, responsibilities, and mutual trust. However, when expectations go unmet, it can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a gradual erosion of that trust. Often, these unmet expectations aren’t about grand gestures or life-altering decisions but the small, everyday actions that, when consistently overlooked, can create significant rifts in the relationship. […]
Continue readingBreaking the Cycle: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Relationships—and How to Heal
Childhood Isn’t Always a Soft Landing Childhood is often imagined as a season of softness—sticky fingers, scraped knees, and wide-eyed wonder. But what happens when the story is different? When your nervous system learned to brace instead of trust? When connection was paired with confusion or pain? If you’re nodding quietly, this post is for […]
Continue readingBuilding Trust and Safety: The Science of Co-Regulation
The Importance of Co-Regulation in Personal and Professional Relationships In our fast-paced society, we often hear about the importance of self-regulation — the ability to manage our own emotions and behaviors. While self-regulation remains crucial, there’s another concept that’s equally vital yet often overlooked: co-regulation. Co-regulation is how we use our interactions with others […]
Continue readingGaslighting: Empowering Antidotes Against Emotional Sabotage in Relationship
This insidious manipulation technique can be devastating, but understanding it is the first step toward empowering yourself and others to counteract its harmful effects. What is the Definition of Gaslighting? Gaslighting is a toxic manipulation strategy aimed at making a person doubt their perception, memory, or even sanity. The term ‘gaslighting’ was coined […]
Continue readingNarcissism vs. Self-Confidence
Many people throw around the term “narcissist” very casually, using it to describe an individual with high self-esteem rather than one who actually has narcissistic personality disorder. Below, we explain what narcissism is and how it differs from self-confidence. What Is Narcissism? Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an excessive need […]
Continue reading3 Benefits of Group Therapy
Have you considered attending group therapy? During these sessions, a therapist leads a small group of patients in discussion, encouraging them to share any issues they’re experiencing and offer each other advice. Group therapy sessions often focus on a specific issue, such as improving social skills, recovering from addiction, or coping with the loss of […]
Continue readingStop Gaslighting Yourself: When You Dismiss and Deny That Your Abuse Was Abuse
It takes so much courage to acknowledge that your relationship might not be the picture-perfect scenario you’ve painted for the world and even more so for yourself. It’s even more challenging when we start to face our trauma and stop dismissing it as merely ‘incidents’ in a relationship. So, let’s talk about what it might […]
Continue readingWhy Reliability Matters: The Keystone of Intimate Relationships
The significance of reliability in an intimate relationship is unparalleled and isn’t discussed enough. Reliability acts as a strong foundation that invites safety, trust, and conducive growth within a partnership. It is our silent promise, the constant assurance that our partners need, affirming that ‘I’m here, for you, always.’ Imagine a relationship without reliability. It […]
Continue readingSix Seconds to Bliss: Unleashing the Profound Power of Intimacy with a Simple Kiss
Have you ever stopped to consider the power held within a simple kiss? In our hurried lives, kisses become quick pecks as we dash out the door or collapse into bed, yet the benefits of a longer, more intimate embrace can be transformative. Let’s delve into the fascinating realm of the Six Second Kiss and […]
Continue readingFinding Freedom in Boundaries: The Power of Boundaries and Agreements in Fostering Healthy Intimacy
As human beings, we crave connections that provide us with love, security, and understanding. Intimate relationships offer us these comforts and more. However, like most things of value, maintaining healthy intimate bonds requires a tactful blend of effort, understanding, and respect. One element often overlooked in this recipe for relationship success is the formation of […]
Continue readingUnderstanding Bipolar Disorder: Causes & Symptoms
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another. What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what […]
Continue readingManaging Anxiety in the Workplace
Anxiety can affect every aspect of our lives, including our employment. And if workplace anxiety isn’t properly managed, it has the potential to negatively impact our careers. For example, if a promotion would require you to interact more with clients, give more presentations, or take more business trips—and you feel stressed at the prospect of […]
Continue readingUnderstanding Tourette Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Tourette syndrome is a disorder that causes someone to uncontrollably and repeatedly produce certain sounds or perform certain movements. These are known as “tics.” What Causes Tourette Syndrome? Researchers are still working to determine exactly what causes Tourette syndrome. With that said, studies suggest that this disorder may result from a combination of genetic and […]
Continue readingExploring Parenting Challenges by Age: College-Aged Children
Has your child entered the college years (ages 18 to 22)? Congratulations! This is an exciting time, but it can also bring a whole new set of challenges for parents. Here are a few of the issues that parents commonly face during this stage: Long distance – If your child is going away to college, […]
Continue readingExploring Parenting Challenges by Age: Teenagers
The teenage years (ages 13 to 18) can present numerous challenges for parents, so if you’re struggling, just remember that you’re not alone. Below are some examples of issues that parents commonly face with their teens, as well as advice for how to handle these situations: Romantic relationships – It’s common for children to enter […]
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