Blog for Better Living
How to Cope with Gender Disappointment
By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 10, 2023
If you are an expectant parent, you’ve undoubtedly been asked: “Do you want a boy or a girl?” All expectant parents have their own ideas and expectations about the biological sex of their future child and create fantasies around what an ideal family looks like. The anticipation of a child’s gender can lead to a […]
Read MoreAnger, Anxiety, Children, Depression, Family, Grief, Parenting, Perinatal, Relationships
The Power of Saying No
By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | November 3, 2023
Are you a people-pleaser? Do you find it challenging to set boundaries and often spread yourself too thin? Saying ‘no’ is a real struggle for many of us, especially if you tend to prioritize others over yourself. Learning to set boundaries is a crucial skill and plays a vital role in helping you create the […]
Read MoreCoping 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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The Absolutely Essential Nature of Conflict in Romantic Relationships
By: Gregory E. Koch, Psy.D. | October 20, 2023
Many of us believe that “good relationships” don’t have conflict. Contrary to this commonly held belief, conflict is absolutely essential in romantic relationships! Conflict in a relationship doesn’t imply failure or dysfunction, but rather signifies the depth and authenticity of the connection. In this article, I explain the important role that conflict serves in romantic […]
Read MoreUnmasking Loneliness: How Understanding Its Source Can Lead To Healing
By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | October 6, 2023
If you feel lonely, you are not alone. It’s ironic and it’s true. Rates of loneliness are increasing in many parts of the world. We are “connected” digitally but not as available to each other otherwise. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s 2023 report entitled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” highlights the extent to […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Substance Abuse
How to Help a Loved One Through Trauma
By: Natalie Rice-Thorp, Ph.D. | September 29, 2023
It can be difficult to see your loved one experience the effects of trauma, and it’s not always easy to know how to help. You may struggle to find the right thing to do or say or worry that you’ll say something that might make them feel worse. Know that there is so much you […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Therapy That Works!
By: Sheila Allameh, Psy.D. | September 15, 2023
“Change your thoughts, and you change your world.” – Norman Vincent Peale What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy? Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is recognized as one of the most effective and popular forms of psychotherapy. More than 2,000 studies have examined the efficacy of CBT to treat a range of conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress […]
Read MoreAnxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Sleep/Relaxation, Substance Abuse, Therapy, Trauma
Ever Been DARVO’d?
By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 8, 2023
DARVO is an acronym that stands for Deny, Attack, and Reverses roles of Victim (you) & Offender (them). It is a manipulation technique used by individuals who are abusive, narcissistic, or who engage in other types of wrongdoing. The objective of this strategy is to shift the focus away from the offender by attacking the […]
Read MoreFaulty Connections: How Constant Communication is Ruining Dating
By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | August 18, 2023
Most people today connect with romantic interests virtually, in one form or another. We are more connected now than we ever have been with text messages, phone calls, videocalls, social media apps (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) and the ability to share our location. In therapy, I frequently hear people say, we text all day, so I […]
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