Blog for Better Living

Attachment. Is it really a good thing?

By: Other | February 19, 2014

Written by Fabiola Figueroa, Ph.D. We as a society grow attached to many things. We initially attach to our caregivers when we are very young. However, as we grow up, we start being conditioned to attach to not only people, but to materials, to memories, to celebrities, to ideas, to places, to opinions, to experiences, […]

Relationships

Non-Defensive Communication In 3 Easy Steps

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | January 29, 2014

Do you want to communicate honestly without getting defensive or into power struggles – no matter how others act? When we get defensive, we make it that much harder for people around us to hear what we’re saying. It also becomes more difficult to listen to what they have to say. Most everyone has a […]

Relationships

Tips on Fair Fighting This Thanksgiving

By: Other | November 26, 2013

Written by Karin Thebus, Psy.D. Most of us would say that we love our families… that is, until we spend extended periods of time with them. When family members stop playing nice and the gloves come off, many families go to what can only be described as “the dark side.” Even the most pleasant and […]

Children, Family, Relationships

Seven Principles for a Healthy Marriage

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | September 6, 2013

Book Review: Seven Principles of a Healthy Marriage (2000) by John Gottman What makes some relationships last while others fizzle out? This million dollar question has been asked by theorists as well as members of the general public for hundreds of years. Dr. John Gottman has devoted his life’s work to addressing the complex question […]

Relationships

How to Cope with a Break Up

By: Other | August 28, 2013

Written by Rebecca Zygar Whatever the reason, however inevitable or unpredictable the end of the relationship is, breaking up is hard to do. Healing after a breakup can take time. By learning how to cope with your break up in a healthy manner, you actually have the chance to learn more about yourself and grow […]

Relationships, Therapy

Thinking about Getting Married?

By: Other | June 19, 2013

Written by Francine Martinez, Ph.D. I was at a Padres game recently and between the third and fourth innings this “gaggle” of Padres women and the Friar mascot came bounding down the stairs stopping two rows behind us. The commotion was followed by a gentleman getting down on one knee, pulling out a ring box […]

Relationships

How to Keep the Fire Burning in a Relationship

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | June 4, 2013

A long-term healthy relationship takes hard work. This fact is often overlooked because it is easy to become complacent or comfortable in long term relationships or marriages. However, a small increase in time and energy spent on the relationship can reap great rewards. When our relationships are working well, everything else in our lives runs […]

Relationships, Therapy

Being a Stepmother on Mother’s Day

By: Rochelle Perper, Ph.D. | May 13, 2013

Mother’s Day is a time for Mom to be acknowledged for the hard work and unconditional love she offers to her children and family. It is typically celebrated as a time for Mom to bask in the glow of love and attention from her partner and children. For stepmoms, Mother’s Day can trigger the deepest […]

Children, Family, Relationships

How to Establish Healthy Boundaries

By: Other | April 2, 2013

Written by Rebecca Zygar Most of us generally like to help others. This might include offering assistance or being accommodating to the needs of others. But, there are occasions when what we think is helping someone, may actually be hurting them. Sometimes the nicest act we can do for another person is to set and […]

Personal Improvement, Relationships