Blog for Better Living

What Women Really Want

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 4, 2025

The 6th Love Language of Attunement   We often discuss the five love languages – words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, gifts, and physical touch. But there’s an unspoken sixth love language that many women crave: attunement. It’s the emotional labor of noticing, anticipating, and responding to a partner’s needs without being asked. […]

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Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships, Stress

Navigating Parenthood: Supporting a Neurodivergent Child with Rejection Sensitivity

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | January 31, 2025

In my work with parents of young children with confirmed or suspected neurodivergence, I often observe them navigate between celebrating their child’s gifts and managing their challenges. If you’re a parent of a neurodivergent child, the one-size-fits-all parenting strategies that are all too common on Instagram may work for other kids, but they might not […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Parenting, Stress

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

Do You Shy Away From Your Feelings?

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | June 28, 2024

How To Understand Your Emotional Cues   As a psychologist who treats strong and resilient women, I often hear my clients say that they try their hardest not to cry. They push their feelings away in hopes of avoiding the pain. Emotional repression is a common defense mechanism, especially if you live, or grew up […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Balance Parenting Responsibilities: Increase Equity and Decrease Resentment

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 12, 2024

Many women in their 30’s grew up observing traditional gender roles, when women primarily managed child-rearing responsibilities and “kept the home,” while men worked outside the home to provide financial stability. Over the years gender roles have changed and women have more opportunities to advance their careers. Despite this significant evolution, women with careers who […]

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Depression, Parenting, Relationships, Stress

A Psychologist’s Guide to Stress-Free Celebrations

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | November 17, 2023

How to Honor Your Values and Boundaries this Holiday Season The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of activities, social gatherings, and family events. While it can be a joyous time, it can also be overwhelming, which can exacerbate stress and anxiety. As a psychologist who practices from an action-oriented, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Holidays, Relationships, Stress

Coping with Betrayal Trauma

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | October 27, 2023

Betrayal is a deeply painful and disorienting experience. When you experience betrayal, it can feel like your whole world dropped from underneath you, which undermines your sense of trust, safety, and self-worth. As a psychologist who specializes in trauma and who works with women in the perinatal phase, I am acutely aware that marital satisfaction […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Trauma

Nurturing YOU: Overcoming Burnout as a Working Mom

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | June 16, 2023

Balancing motherhood and working outside the home is a balancing act that can leave you feeling stretched thin. You may find yourself wrestling with guilt when you don’t meet the high expectations you set for yourself. As a psychologist who specializes in perinatal mental health, I not only work with moms with young children, I […]

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Children, Family, Parenting, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

By: Kristen Lipari, Ph.D. | April 28, 2023

Sleep is essential to every process in the body. Sleep affects our physical, mental, and emotional functioning, immunity, and metabolism. Lack of sleep, or poor quality of sleep can leave us vulnerable to increased anxiety and mood symptoms. When we don’t sleep well, we feel fatigued the next day, which makes it difficult to attend […]

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Anxiety, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Sleep/Relaxation