How to Co-Parent Successfully After Divorce
Divorce is a major life transition, but for parents, the journey doesn’t end when the papers are signed. Co-parenting presents its own set of challenges, requiring patience, communication, and a shared commitment to your child’s well-being. While emotions may still be raw, successful co-parenting is possible—and can provide stability, love, and security for your child.
Having Fun in Relationships – The Importance of Laughter and Joy
Laughter has real benefits. Studies show that shared laughter increases feelings of connection and releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone. It also reduces stress and anxiety, helping couples navigate challenges with more patience and resilience. When couples laugh together, they strengthen their emotional connection, reinforcing the idea that they are a team, even during tough times.
How Depression Affects Relationships & What Couples Can Do
Depression doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it—it impacts relationships in deep and complex ways. As a marriage and family therapist, I often see couples struggling to navigate the emotional distance, frustration, and misunderstandings that can arise when one or both partners are dealing with depression. The good news is that with awareness, compassion, and intentional effort, couples can support each other and strengthen their relationship, even in the face of mental health challenges.
Is Your Family Stressed? How to Create a Calmer Home
In today’s fast-paced world, family life can often feel chaotic. Between work, school, extracurricular activities, and daily responsibilities, stress can build up quickly—impacting both parents and children alike. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I’ve seen how chronic stress can create tension, misunderstandings, and emotional exhaustion within a household. The good news? Small, intentional changes can transform your home into a place of peace and connection.
How to Rebuild Trust in Your Relationship After a Betrayal
For the partner who broke the trust, genuine accountability is essential. This means fully acknowledging the harm caused without minimizing, making excuses, or shifting blame. A heartfelt apology goes beyond just saying “I’m sorry”—it involves understanding the emotional impact and committing to change.
Strengthening Your Relationship This Valentine’s Day: A Therapist’s Perspective
There’s often pressure to make Valentine’s Day “perfect,” but real love isn’t about one big day—it’s about the everyday moments. Instead of stressing over grand plans, focus on what truly strengthens your bond. Maybe it’s a quiet night in, reminiscing about your favorite memories together, or writing a heartfelt note expressing appreciation for your partner.
The Mental Health Value of Making Realistic New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions can be powerful tools for growth, healing, and positive change—if they’re approached with the right mindset. In this blog post, I’ll explain why making realistic New Year’s resolutions is so important for your mental health, and how setting achievable goals can help you create sustainable progress that boosts your well-being all year long.
The Value of Family Traditions During the Holidays: A Therapist’s Perspective
As a therapist, I’ve seen how meaningful traditions can strengthen family bonds, provide stability, and offer a sense of continuity and belonging. In a world that often feels chaotic and fast-paced, holiday traditions give families an opportunity to slow down, connect, and create lasting memories. More than just routines, these practices play a key role in promoting emotional health, building family identity, and enhancing resilience.
In this post, I’ll explore why family traditions during the holidays are so valuable and how they contribute to a deeper sense of connection and well-being. We’ll look at the psychological benefits of holiday traditions and offer some ideas on how to create or adapt your own family’s rituals—no matter what life throws your way.
Is Telehealth Therapy a Good Fit for You? Exploring the Benefits and Considerations
Telehealth therapy, also known as online therapy, remote therapy, or virtual therapy, uses technology such as video calls, phone sessions, and secure messaging to connect therapists with clients. While this approach has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, it’s important to consider whether it aligns with your personal needs, goals, and preferences.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of telehealth therapy, address some common concerns, and outline the types of clients and issues that telehealth is best suited for. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether this format might be the right fit for you.
The Benefits of Managing Your Mental Health By Managing Your Personal Space
When life gets busy or overwhelming, it’s easy for our surroundings to reflect the chaos we’re feeling inside. Piles of papers on the kitchen counter, a closet stuffed with clothes you rarely wear, or a desk covered in everything except what you’re currently working on can all become visual reminders of stress, making it difficult to relax, focus, and feel in control. What you may not realize is that your environment—whether it’s your home, office, or even your car—has a direct impact on your mental and emotional well-being.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and How Accelerated Resolution Therapy Can Help
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, many people experience a noticeable shift in their mood and energy levels. While it’s common to feel a bit more sluggish during the colder months, some individuals experience a deeper and more serious form of winter blues known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For those who struggle with SAD, the changing seasons can bring about intense feelings of sadness, lethargy, and even hopelessness, making it difficult to maintain a sense of well-being and motivation.
The Power of Gratitude: Why Practicing Thankfulness Can Transform Your Mental Health
At its core, gratitude is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful to you. It’s recognizing the good things in your life—whether big or small—and taking the time to appreciate them. Gratitude can be directed toward people, experiences, or even small daily comforts like a warm cup of tea or a sunny morning.
Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” It’s a deeper acknowledgment of the positive aspects of life and the contributions that others (and even circumstances) make to our happiness and well-being. It’s about noticing, savoring, and cherishing what’s good.
Navigating Family Frustrations During the Holidays: A Family Therapist’s Guide
As a licensed family therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how the holidays—despite being portrayed as the “most wonderful time of the year”—can sometimes become a source of stress, frustration, and even conflict for families. People often come to me feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to make everything perfect, navigate complicated family dynamics, and meet everyone’s expectations. Instead of feeling joyful and connected, they’re left exhausted, irritated, or even resentful.
Rebuilding Trust: How Marriage Therapy Helps Couples Heal After Infidelity
As a marriage therapist, I’ve guided numerous couples through the complex process of healing after an affair. I’ve seen firsthand how devastating infidelity can be—but I’ve also witnessed the incredible resilience of couples who are willing to do the hard work of rebuilding their relationship. This blog post will outline how marriage therapy can support couples in the aftermath of betrayal, helping them navigate the pain, restore trust, and ultimately, rebuild a stronger partnership.
Is Your Partner Resistant to Therapy? Tips for Encouraging Them to Give It a Try
If you’re considering therapy to improve your relationship, it likely means you care deeply about your partner and want to work on building a stronger, healthier bond. But what if your partner doesn’t share the same enthusiasm? Maybe they’ve expressed reluctance or outright refused the idea of going to therapy. If that’s the case, you might feel frustrated, misunderstood, or even a bit discouraged.
Understanding the Fear of Flying—And How ART Can Help You Overcome It
For many people, the thought of boarding an airplane evokes excitement and a sense of adventure. But for others, the mere idea of stepping onto a plane is enough to trigger overwhelming anxiety, panic, or even sheer terror. If you’ve experienced this fear yourself, you know it’s not just about feeling a little nervous—it’s a deeply unsettling experience that can leave you feeling out of control.
Why Marriage Therapy Is Important—Even for Busy Couples
When life is hectic, finding uninterrupted time to talk—really talk—can feel impossible. Therapy carves out this space, giving you the opportunity to focus solely on your relationship without distractions.
How Phobias Can Hold You Back from Reaching Your Goals
f you’ve ever dealt with a phobia, you know how it can go from being a mere inconvenience to something that dictates what you can and cannot do. It doesn’t just create anxiety in certain situations—it actively prevents you from achieving your goals, both big and small.
So, how do phobias interfere with our ability to live a full, successful life? And more importantly, is there a way to break free from their grip? Let’s explore how phobias can keep you stuck, and then I’ll introduce a powerful therapeutic approach called Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) that can help you overcome them.
Top 7 Signs Your Marriage Could Benefit from Therapy (And Why It’s Not a Last Resort)
Think of marriage therapy as a form of proactive relationship maintenance—just like you’d take your car in for a tune-up long before the engine breaks down. When couples make the choice to work on their relationship early, they often find that they’re able to strengthen their bond, communicate better, and rediscover the joy in their partnership.