The world changed when cell phones came into our lives, and so did our relationships. Phone use in relationships has become part of everyday life. With the touch of a finger, we can connect with people, ideas, entertainment, directions, work, news, and almost anything we might want to buy. We can manage everyday tasks, stay connected across long distances, and …
There’s something both exciting and comforting about our phones. Our social media feeds seem to know us so well—wellness products, ab routines, golf swing tips, recipes, travel ideas. It can feel like having a friend who always wants to talk about exactly what interests us. Sometimes we even convince ourselves that scrolling is productive. We tell ourselves we’re learning how …
On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I learned about a few phrases that seem woven into the culture. The first was Pura Vida, which Costa Ricans say all the time. Literally translated, it means “pure life,” but it carries a much richer meaning. It’s a reminder that life is meant to be enjoyed as it is. You don’t need endless …
Human relationships are not built on perfection. Even in loving, healthy relationships, people misunderstand one another, lose patience, become defensive, forget important things, or say things they later regret. Conflict is inevitable. What often matters most is not whether harm occurs, but how we respond afterward. When my children were young, I didn’t overfocus on intervening in every squabble. Instead, …
There are seasons in relationships when things feel heavy. A quiet distance settles in, and we begin to sense that something important is slipping away. In those moments, it’s common for the mind to fill in the gaps with fear-based stories rather than facts—Maybe we’re not right for each other anymore. Maybe this is how it ends. Hopelessness can creep …
In my work as a therapist, I often see communication break down not because people don’t care about each other, but because they stop trying to understand each other. One partner becomes “too emotional,” while the other decides those emotions “don’t make sense,” and the conversation quietly collapses from there. Sometimes this dynamic is used consciously, even as a form …
Before we explore what good couples therapy is, it’s important to clarify what it isn’t. Good couples therapy is not about identifying a transgressor and a victim—a “good” partner and a “bad” one. It is not about taking sides or assigning blame. When therapy becomes about proving who is right, it often deepens disconnection rather than healing it. Instead, good …
Depression often feels overwhelming—like a heavy lens that colors every experience in shades of negativity. But what if part of that lens comes from the way we explain events to ourselves? In his influential book Learned Optimism, psychologist Marten Seligman explores how our habitual thinking patterns—especially pessimism—can shape our emotional well-being. At the heart of this idea is something simple …
There’s a natural “perception gap” built into being human. We live inside our own minds—aware of our intentions, hopes, and the meanings behind our actions. Because of that, how we hope to come across feels obvious to us. Stretching yourself to imagine how others actually experience you can feel uncomfortable at first, and when their perception doesn’t match your intention, …
In my work with couples therapy, I often witness something both heartbreaking and hopeful: two people sitting across from each other, struggling to say anything positive. Sometimes this reflects a deeper disconnection — a lack of warm feelings that have eroded over time. But, more often than not, the love and appreciation are still there. They just aren’t being spoken …
