Blog for Better Living

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Effects

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 6, 2024

Trauma refers to the profound emotional and psychological impact that occurs when an individual’s sense of safety is compromised and their ability to cope is overwhelmed. Such experiences often shatter a person’s sense of security, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Trauma can arise from a wide array of experiences and is […]

The Power of Validation

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | August 9, 2024

We all want to feel heard, accepted, valued, and even loved. When we validate someone, we are essentially giving them this experience. Life can be confusing and difficult for all of us, but when we are genuinely validated, we feel acknowledged and reassured that we are not alone. Life seems more manageable, and we become […]

Understanding, and Overcoming Perfectionism

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | July 26, 2024

Some of us wear the label “perfectionist” as a badge of honor. It can be considered a positive quality, showing that we are and pay close attention to detail. What isn’t as well understood is that perfectionism can do more harm than good. It can damage our self-esteem and confidence, put a strain on our […]

What Are Your Emotions Trying To Tell You?

By: Shanni Tal, Psy.D. | July 19, 2024

Emotions are a natural part of being human, yet they are often perplexing, can be unpredictable and difficult to understand. If you grew up in a household that didn’t acknowledge a range of emotions, it may be hard for you to identify, and express your feelings. This can lead to feeling disconnected, problems with your […]