In western society, we often place a high value on independence and the ability to self regulate. While those skills are essential to our survival throughout adulthood, as we enter into romantic relationships, it can be challenging to switch from attuning to one's...
We can’t choose our families, nor do we have any control over the family structures and environments we’re born into. While it can be special to have a healthy and happy family bond, it’s unfortunately not always possible for everyone. When your biological family lets...
Imagine you’re in a relationship where your partner expresses love through non-sexual touch and unsolicited favors. You don’t think you’re falling out of love, yet you struggle to feel appreciated at times. You would rather be reminded of how important you are to...
Relationships can be confusing. Especially when you think things are going well and suddenly, you couldn’t be more turned off by your partner. What happened? What went wrong? Can we fix this? Read on to learn more about "the ick" and what to do about it. What...
Growing up identifying as female often means looking to a mother figure for guidance on the transition to womanhood. When there is a mother wound, there can be a profound impact on a woman's sexuality. Many women internalize their mothers beliefs, values and...
In order to understand narcissistic abuse and how dating a narcissist changes you, it might be helpful to first understand narcissism. A person who meets criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, according to the DSM 5, exhibits a pattern on grandiosity that...
Relationship researcher and developer of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), Sue Johnson, boils trust down to this question; “Are you there for me?” Many people have an innate need for emotional connection and secure emotional bonds. Yet many people do not get...
The topic of relationship status remains perfunctory in conversations with old friends and new acquaintances. While this may appear thoughtful, it can provoke anxiety when the response doesn’t fit within societal norms. The implication being, if you aren’t dating...
Those who have had the opportunity to fall in love with someone likely know how incredible of an experience it can be. For many, the beginning of a relationship is a blissful honeymoon stage that tends to settle after a few months to a year or so. Transitioning from a...