Blog for Better Living

Balancing Motherhood This Holiday Season

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 15, 2024

The holidays are a time when traditions, family gatherings, and festivities take center stage, and for many mothers, this means taking on the responsibility of organizing the celebrations. The role of the mother as the “heart” of holiday traditions is deeply ingrained in many societies, particularly in cultures where familial ties and communal gatherings are […]

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Anxiety, Family, Holidays, Stress

How to Say Goodbye

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | November 8, 2024

How can we possibly say goodbye to someone we love when they approach the end of their life? It seems like an impossible task because we simply don’t want to say goodbye to the people we love – especially if we are saying goodbye forever. Facing this certainty feels unbearable. As hard as it may […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Relationships

Overcoming Midlife Malaise: Simple Strategies for Renewal

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | November 1, 2024

What is my purpose? How can I make the most of the time I have left? Is this all there is to life? If you’ve been pondering these questions, you may be experiencing midlife malaise. While having a “midlife crisis” is often stereotyped by getting a divorce, splurging on an expensive sports car, and pursuing […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Non-Psychological Factors Contributing to Anxiety: It’s Not All in Your Head

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 25, 2024

Anxiety is commonly associated with psychological triggers like stress, trauma, or major life changes. However, many people experience anxiety that arises from underlying physical and environmental factors that frequently go unnoticed. The body and mind are closely interconnected, and disturbances in physical health can appear as emotional and cognitive symptoms. If you are struggling with […]

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Anxiety, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress, Trauma

Anxious Attachment Style Explained

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | October 18, 2024

Insights for Healthier Relationships   We all know that relationships matter, but what makes them so important? Relationships are essential to our survival as humans. Deeply rooted in our evolutionary history, they offer safety, shared resources and cooperative parenting, thus enhancing our chances of making it through challenging times. In today’s world, relationships continue to […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships

Navigating Relationship Pressures

By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | October 11, 2024

How Imago Relationship Therapy Empowers LGBTQ+ and Diverse Couples   As a psychologist and certified Imago Relationship Therapist, I’ve dedicated my career to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of love and partnership. But my journey isn’t just professional—it’s also deeply personal. My husband, José, and I are not only a gay couple, we […]

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LGBTQ+, Personal Improvement, Relationships

What You Need to Know About Maternal Rage

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | September 27, 2024

Maternal rage is often misunderstood as anger or frustration experienced by mothers, stemming from the pressures and challenges of parenting. But it’s so much more. This intense emotional state is a response to systemic inequities, societal expectations, lack of support, and unmet needs amidst overwhelming parenting and household duties that cause moms to feel powerless, […]

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Anger, Family, Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships

Five Tips to Improve Communication

By: Sheila Allameh, Psy.D. | September 20, 2024

We’ve all experienced situations where we try to improve communication with someone, only to have our attempts backfire. We share our perspective, but the other person interprets it completely differently, leading to conflict or misunderstanding. While communication may seem instinctual, it requires skill and practice to confidently navigate difficult conversations. You might be experiencing disagreements […]

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Relationships

Embracing Imperfection

By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 13, 2024

Rethinking the Quest for the Perfect Conversation   Imagine gliding effortlessly through an anxiety-free conversation where you can clearly and calmly focus on what others are saying and be ready with a perfectly timed funny/empathetic/intelligent response. You feel confident! You look amazing! Sounds great, right…but is it possible? While you might imagine this kind of […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships