For a relationship to feel good, both partners need to feel safe in each other's care. They need to talk through what problems come up, understand each other, and still enjoy the relationship, even if they can't agree on every issue.…
The way you look at things -- your perspective -- has a lot to do with your mental health and happiness. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be." That says something about…
Radical acceptance is the ability to fully open yourself to your experience. Radical acceptance allows you to recognize what hurts, no matter what it is -- and comfort that hurt. The radical part of radical acceptance is the openness to face…
When people come into my office, often they're highly stressed. Some are even bouncing with anxiety because too many things feel out of their control. Grounding techniques help you shift energy so you can focus on what you can control. They…
"Love has a kind of magic. It's able to do amazing things." That's what researcher Dr. John Gottman said about great friendships and love relationships, in a TEDx talk. Social science tells us, those who enjoy healthy friendships and love also…
You may have decided to get your teen into counseling because an issue has you concerned. But your teen is resistant to therapy. It doesn't matter how obvious the signs are that your teen may need therapy. Signs that counseling is…
“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives."Bessel van der Kolk, MD, from The Body Keeps Score When I think about a family,…
Three relationship experts share their findings about the purpose of marriage for strength, safety and belonging. Drs. John Gottman, Sue Johnson, and Stan Tatkin have studied how relationships impact each partner's sense of wellbeing. They identified traits of healthy relationships and…
"I need space." You've probably heard this or said it. What does that even mean? It's about holding space for emotions. To understand each other and ourselves, we need to make room for thoughts and feelings. Holding space is essential to…
If you want any relationship to feel better, you need to know about bids for connection. A bid for connection is anything a person does to spark a positive feeling with another. It might be obvious – like a hug, a…